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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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NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have teamed up to develop an initiative that will reduce the $350 million annual spending on diesel by telecom operators in Nigeria.

NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

According to a press statement  by Nnenna Ukoha, acting had of Public Affairs, NCC, this collaboration will focus on deploying renewable energy solutions to support telecom infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

To that end, the two agencies have inaugurated what they called NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, aimed at deploying renewable energy solutions to power telecom infrastructure across the country.

According to the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025 by the Africa Finance Corporation, telecom operators in Nigeria consume more than 40 million litres of diesel every month, costing them over $350 million annually.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission has formally inaugurated the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, marking a pivotal step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital and energy inclusion objectives by developing modalities for the deployment of renewable energy to support telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.”

The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, NCC.

Maida was joined by Abba Aliyu, managing director of the REA, along with senior executives and committee members from both organisations.

Speaking at the event, Maida described the collaboration as a timely and strategic alignment of national priorities.

He noted that bridging the connectivity and power gaps in rural areas remains critical for Nigeria’s growth and development.

He highlighted that the demand for digital services and connected communities creates an opportunity for renewable energy to play a crucial role.

Maida further emphasised that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure; it is aimed at driving inclusion, reducing inequalities, and fostering shared prosperity.

“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people.

“This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities and creating the conditions for shared prosperity,” he was quoted in the statement.

He also noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy and digital transformation.

Aliyu, representing REA, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the collaboration.

“This partnership will unlock sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians, especially those in areas lacking traditional infrastructure,” he said.

He further emphasised that the collaboration would address both energy and connectivity gaps, benefiting those who are currently underserved.

The newly established NCC-REA Collaboration Committee will work to co-develop and implement integrated solutions that leverage renewable energy to power telecom sites.

The statement noted that the committee will also focus on sharing geospatial data to improve planning, aligning funding frameworks, and tracking the socio-economic impact of the project through clear performance indicators.

 


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NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the execution of a national roaming agreement with Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), a move that signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.

NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory authority, has approved the three-year deal, which allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.

The agreement, effective immediately, will significantly enhance connectivity and user experience for 9Mobile customers, particularly in areas where its network coverage is limited.

By leveraging MTN’s expansive infrastructure, 9Mobile can now offer improved service reach and reliability, without duplicating capital-intensive investments in network deployment.

In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public, MTN Nigeria described the arrangement as a strategic collaboration that underscores its leadership in fostering innovation, industry cooperation, and operational efficiency.

The company emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCC’s broader objective of promoting infrastructure sharing to improve telecommunications services nationwide.

“This agreement represents a significant step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria.

“Delivering the scale required for telecommunications services in Nigeria requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and long-term investors. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we collaborate, and we are delighted to announce it today after months of groundwork.”The national roaming deal enables subscribers from 9Mobile to access voice and data services through MTN’s network in areas where the former lacks adequate coverage.

This marks the first such large-scale, cross-network roaming arrangement between two major operators in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts in the telecom industry.

MTN Nigeria highlighted that the agreement contributes to more effective use of telecommunications resources, reduces infrastructure duplication, and accelerates the expansion of mobile broadband access across underserved regions.

It also supports both operators’ sustainability objectives by maximizing existing investments and reducing the environmental impact of deploying overlapping network facilities.

“This strategic collaboration is yet another first in the country by MTN Nigeria and marks a significant milestone for the sustainability of the telecommunications industry,” the company stated.

“By enabling national roaming, MTN Nigeria is contributing to a more effective use of telecommunications resources and accelerating efforts to expand connectivity across the country.”

The agreement is expected to benefit not just subscribers and operators but also regulators and investors who have consistently advocated for policies that promote shared infrastructure and efficient capital utilization in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Uto Ukpanah,  company secretary, MTN Nigeria, affirmed the company’s ongoing dedication to initiatives that create shared value.

“MTN remains committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders while promoting digital and financial inclusion nationwide,” she noted.

With the successful rollout of this agreement, the telecoms industry is expected to see improved service delivery and expanded access to quality mobile services, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. The collaboration sets a benchmark for future inter-operator partnerships and reinforces the importance of regulatory support in advancing national connectivity goals.

 

 

 

 


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Don’t Visit Telecom Centers for Now — ALTON Warns of SIM Service Downtime

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption in SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.

The disruption, according to a statement on Wednesday, follows a directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a new identity verification platform.

ALTON said the transition had triggered unforeseen technical challenges, affecting services such as SIM registration, replacement, and mobile number portability.

“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted service delivery,” the association stated.

It added that MNOs would not be able to support SIM swaps, new activations, and related services until the issues are resolved.

ALTON noted that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to restore normalcy.

The association appealed for public understanding and urged subscribers to delay visits to service centers for SIM-related matters.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to provide timely updates,” the statement read.

ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.


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