I am a 51 year old adult,
I am a 51 year old adult, who realized a few years ago that I am on the low end of the Autism spectrum. So, I understand a bit of what you are experiencing. I think years of “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Sunday School helped me realize how important people are to God, and encouraged me grow socially. When I actually recognized the Autism in me, I read more and learned where to focus my efforts. The results are that I am indeed much more social than I was when I was a child.
The club you created is a fantastic way to find others with similar interests. I have been involved with several clubs, and even president of a few clubs over my life time and enjoyed them very much.
In regards to your desire to work with companion robots, it is important to distinguish between an actual companion, and a pretend companion. I think what defines a true companion, is that a true companion has actual feelings and thoughts. A baby doll that says “Ma Ma” does not want his mother, any more than a robot that says, “Will you be my friend?” actually wants any friends.
No one has thought of a way to make a true companion of any kind. That is in the world of science fiction only. The robots that are pretend companion robots, are really just dolls that have more sophistication than a baby doll that says "Ma Ma”. But, the advanced sophistication does is not change what it is. It is a pretend companion, in the same way as a child’s Teddy bear or doll.
However, there are important uses for these pretend characters. Just as a child may practice speech or other social interactions by playing with their Teddy bear, they can practice with a robot. And the robot can be programmed to provide better practice than a simple Teddy bear.
The idea of a pretend companion robot for helping disabled people will require many skills.
As an example, I am involved in a community theater group, where I help make things. For a show to go on, it requires people with good visual art skills, and also social skills like acting and directing. But also very important are the technical abilities to control the lights and make things like converting an old camera to use a battery operated flash, instead of the old-style flash bulbs (my current project). God gives us all different skills, and we have to work together as a team to make anything of value.
-Joe
