Our group picked up an astromech droid a while ago, Astro Boy by name, and the little guy has come in handy several times. His main purpose has been taking care of astrogation checks, since we don't actually have anyone trained in that skill.

Now though we want to get him upgraded a bit, to try and keep in the same ballpark as the PC's, who've earned a decent chunk of experience.

Cybernetic upgrades are obvious, but is there any way to upgrade Astro Boy's skill ranks?

There's rules for creating/programming new droids, but what about upgrades to existing programs?

Maybe just talk to the GM about him picking up a little EXP as we continue on?

GM conversation, there is no rule and any suggestions are still subject to GM approval.

It's GM call, but some possibilities :

GM just does it.

Crafted Cybernetic skill implant(s) from Special Modifications.

If it only does Astrogation, get GM permission to install an Astrogation Droid Brain to replace it's current Brain (The fluff describes it as an Astromech droid, starts with 2 skill and can be modded to 4). It's strictly a ship upgrade, and not cheap, but would seem reasonable.

Use rules for programming new droids, give the players the option of whether they reset the droid personality or the GM starts adding to it! (But it always resets skills)

Here's what I did for the NPC droid in my game...

- Stated it out just like a starting PC.

- If PC's want to give it new hardware, they can buy it and install it with a Mechanics check.

- If the PC's want to enhance its programming (new skills, increased skills, new talents, or new spec trees), it's basically 100 credits per XP that they want to give it.