Robotics gives you extra damage to robots and turrets, but more importantly, allows you to force them to stop fighting and do other things depending on the skill rank.
Xenosociology gives you the power to have an alien creature stop fighting and more depending on the skill rank.Manipulation lets you force a NPC below your level to obey commands.Instigation makes it so you can force a NPC below your level to attack their allies.Intimidation gives you the option to force an NPC below your level to flee.Diplomacy allows you to force a NPC below your level to stop fighting for a time.You'll need this if you want to board and enemy ship This slows down time and gives you the ability to target an individual part of an enemy ship. Targeting Control Systems allows you to use the Targeting Systems during space combat.Piloting gives you access to the Ship Thrusters.Boost Pack Training allows you to use the Pack Boosters.Theft unlocks the ability to Pickpocket.For example, these skills require at least 1 point to be able to make use of the ability at all: There are quite a few things you cannot do until you have made the progress needed to unlock the Skills you need to perform a certain task.