NPC Feedback based on videos

So I don't have any early access too the new upcoming update so maybe what I say below will already exist, but I haven't seen anything so far to indicate otherwise. I've been watching some of the videos coming out and other than the usual blocks, the things that stand to me more are game play elements to add more to the game, more specifically the upcoming NPC's included, which has been a mod for a while now.

Other than making stations feel more lively, what do these NPCs really add to the game, gameplay wise? I'm not expecting voiced characters with dialogue, but you cant even talk to them to get missions with like some sort of text box. They just kind of walk around stations braindead and wave at you. At least have them looking like they're doing jobs on the station like manning a desk, serving at a bar, getting something to eat. You should also have pirate raiders who can or will try to board your ship if they disable it or attack your space station or land base and kill you, steal your resources or items, destroy your reactors or health stations so you cant respawn. Pirate raiders should also defend their own ships if you try to board their ships, or you encounter pirate raiders while they're trying to board a friendly ship and you'll see the friendly NPCs fight against the pirates as they board the ship and you can help them or just watch. Didn't Medieval Engineers have raiders who would actually attack you? I mean sure they kind of just followed you in a line, but that was at least a start to build on.

In my opinion, its just some brain dead npcs with no gameplay purpose. Dont just add stuff for the sake of adding stuff, they need to have some sort of purpose or gameplay element.