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Tips on Robotics & Smart Systems Network Design for Space Crews and Robots

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By Andrew Aroh

Crew cooperation will always be vital in any manned space exploration mission even if some of those crewmember are not human.

With a current mandate to return human explorers to the Moon, push on to Mars, NASA researchers are developing better robots who will work alongside humans on future missions.

If we are able to really focus on robot perception and manipulation we can have robots manipulation. We can have robots build habitats on the Moon.

The goal of using robots in Conjunction with human astronauts on lunar and planetary missions is to freeup the living members of the crew for exploration and science.

For example, once, two astronauts aboard the International Space Station spent the bulk of their time just maintaining the orbital facility. Thus, humans, could end up spending a massive amount of time just dealing with upkeep. We can’t afford to do that because that would mean needing more humans to be there, eating food, breathing air, etc.

  • At Ames Research Center, Scientists and Engineers have constructed an indoor laboratory designed to mock a manned Moon or Mars base, with an inner control room looking out over simulated lunar surface where humans and robots will cooperate to build structures, test equipment and use digging tools. Researchers will use the site to test their systems with NASA’s wheeled Humanoid-Link automation Robonaut and other robots.

The test will lead to space flying assistants capable of taking instruction from human astronauts, responding in a human-Link manner or even offering suggestions and asking for help when needed.

  • Streamlining Communications between humans and robots is a first step towards building a better space team. Human beings use very colloquial language.

However, robots are not first-class citizens and they won’t necessarily understand every word.

  • Researchers are focusing on enhancing Robot Spatial reasoning skills to ease routine tasks such as handling tools and equipment and allow automations to understand hand signals and gesture on their own during communications with human astronauts. The goal is to develop smoother human robot cooperation.
  • Note that Ames researchers have developed intelligent computer software called mobile agents to work as data management bridge between human astronauts, rover and base computer during planetside extravehicular activity.

What we do is give the (robotic-assist) another computer running the agent system. It brings the robot into the voice network and it can speak to astronauts.

  • INSTILLING ROBOTIC INSTINTS:
  • One of the major challenges facing robot – human cooperation is safety. When you have robots and humans working side-by-side, there have to be safeguards. It’s not just a piece of software anymore.
  • A spacesuit-clad astronauts working in the vacuum of space or on the lunar surface is already in a potentially dangerous situation, and in addition of a robot working in close quarters could prove disastrous, if the automation is not equipped with measures to prevent injury or accidental damage. The robot should never endanger the human being.
  • Lunar and Mars robots also must be able to Multitask, not only to adapt to their surroundings, but also to increase utility.
  • We need robots that can be team players and switch to different role as needed.
  • You want robots that can see an object once and recognize it in the future, robots that dig through regolith, and robots that can create oxygen on the moon.
  • CONDITIONING HUMANS FOR ROBOTS
  • Changing how humans and robots interact does not solely depend on developing better machinery and ever-more sophisticated machinery. Humans will have to adjust too.

It will be a challenge for humans to work down specific robots level.

Humans tend to either decide that the robot is sort of perfect and can trust it, or the robot is unbearably stupid and should not be used.

  • Built in responses to indicate confusion and understanding in a robot can act as audio cues for human operators to adjust their directions.
  • Developing the proper metal models for human to use when addressing robot helpers can be reinforced through field tests.
  • Tens of small field trials and up to four major simulations will likely be required to fully prepare robotic astronauts ready for a space mission.
  • But the automations won’t fully supplant human explorers.

Explorers as scientists are always going to want to have situations where they want to scrap that rock, or hand-drill that sample. They will not always have to go to a robot to get the first-hand experience.

By Andrew Aroh is President of SSPI Nigeria


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GSMA, Mobile Industry Call for Strengthened Action to Advance Child Online Protection in Africa

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The GSMA, in partnership with the mobile industry, is calling for strengthened collective action to protect children online across Africa. Building on insights from a high-level roundtable convened at the Ministerial Programme during MWC25 Barcelona, the GSMA yesterday released a new whitepaper, Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa outlining key recommendations to guide governments, regulators, industry, civil society, and youth stakeholders as they work together to create a safer digital environment for children.

With Africa’s digital transformation accelerating, the number of children accessing the internet is rising rapidly – often through mobile devices, as the region remains mobile-first.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) set out the fundamental rights of all children, both of which provide a critical foundation for ensuring that children’s rights are fully respected, protected, and fulfilled in the digital age. Mobile technology holds enormous potential to help advance these rights, as explored in the GSMA-UNICEF report Enhancing Children’s Lives through Mobile.

While published in 2019, the report’s principles and mapping remain highly relevant today, reflecting the GSMA’s longstanding commitment to this area. We continue to work closely with UNICEF, and as a next step, GSMA and UNICEF will co-lead a new regional taskforce to help drive forward the recommendations from this whitepaper and strengthen cooperation across governments, industry, and civil society.

Mobile can open doors to education, social connection, and development. But as connectivity expands, so too do the risks: children are increasingly exposed to cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation. Recognising both the opportunities and challenges of the digital environment, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child dedicated the 2023 Day of the African Child (DAC) to this important theme – reinforcing the urgent need for cross-sector cooperation.

The GSMA and its members in Africa have worked together to highlight shared challenges, amplify the voices of young people, and identify areas where governments, industry, and civil society can strengthen coordinated efforts.

Key recommendations from the whitepaper include:

  • Ensuring child- and youth-centred approaches in policy and programme development
  • Strengthening national frameworks in line with the African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Strategy
  • Expanding digital literacy and awareness initiatives for children, parents, and educators
  • Building stronger public-private partnerships to scale resources, tools, and services across the region

Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, said: “Protecting children online is a responsibility shared across governments, industry, civil society, and families. By working together, we can ensure the digital environment becomes a place of opportunity – not risk – for Africa’s children. This whitepaper is an important step in supporting stakeholders across the region as they advance this urgent agenda.”

Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for Child Protection at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, added: “Children and young people under 18 make up half of Africa’s population. Protecting their safety online is not only about safeguarding rights, but about investing in Africa’s human capital and future leadership.

This whitepaper helps elevate African voices, African leadership, and African solutions for protecting children in the digital space. We at UNICEF look forward to co-hosting a taskforce for GSMA to take forward the recommendations emerging from this whitepaper”.

The whitepaper integrates regional data, including findings from IPSOS research commissioned by MTN Group, as well as insights from youth advocate Jemima Kasongo, 19, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who opened the roundtable during MWC25 with a powerful call to action on behalf of young people across the continent.

The GSMA reaffirms that child online protection is a global priority, with efforts underway worldwide to strengthen safer digital environments. Initiatives such as the GSMA Mobile Alliance to Combat Digital Child Sexual Exploitation bring together international mobile operators to drive good practice and coordinate global responses.

While this new whitepaper focuses on Africa, it builds on the GSMA’s broader global commitment, including newly published guidance on incorporating young voices into digital policy and solution design. The GSMA encourages all stakeholders to engage with the recommendations and join the ongoing dialogue to help ensure a safer digital future for Africa’s children.


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Crypto Exchange MEXC Rolls Out P2P Support for Naira, Birr, and Rupee

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In a strategic move to deepen its presence in emerging economies, global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading support for three new fiat currencies — the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and Pakistani Rupee (PKR). This expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on localising crypto access in high-growth, underbanked regions.

The addition of NGN, ETB, and PKR to MEXC’s P2P platform enables users in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan to trade major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC) directly with their local currencies.

The trades come with zero transaction fees, in line with MEXC’s strategy to lower entry barriers for users and encourage grassroots participation in the digital asset economy.

The update is more than a technical expansion — it underscores MEXC’s recognition of Africa and South Asia as rising crypto frontiers. Nigeria, often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, and Ethiopia, where digital finance is beginning to surge amid reforms, represent key territories for crypto adoption. Similarly, Pakistan’s growing youth population and fintech appetite offer strong potential for crypto-enabled financial inclusion.

To support the rollout, MEXC is actively onboarding new merchants to its P2P platform. Merchants benefit from zero transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a special verification badge, and invitations to exclusive community events. The goal is to nurture a local network of verified sellers and buyers who can facilitate seamless and trusted crypto trades.

P2P trading — which allows users to transact directly without third-party intermediaries — is especially relevant in markets where banking infrastructure is either insufficient or heavily regulated. By bypassing traditional systems, P2P provides a lifeline for users seeking stablecoins, alternative stores of value, or more flexible remittance solutions.

This latest expansion signals MEXC’s intent to compete aggressively for market share in underserved territories while enabling more users to access and benefit from Web3 technologies. As global exchanges race to localise their services, MEXC’s early moves into fiat integration may prove pivotal in shaping the next wave of crypto adoption across the Global South.


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MTN Nigeria Unveils CPaaS Platform to Transform Business Communication

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At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.

Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.

During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.

Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”

The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.

They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.

The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.

The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.

The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.

As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.


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