Human-Machine Interaction Education Through Body Signal-Based Robotics Games for Early Childhood

Abstract

This community service program aimed to introduce the concept of human-machine interaction (HMI) to early childhood learners aged 4–8 years through biopotential signal-based robotic play at TPA/TPQ Al Istiqomah Sukabirus, Bandung Regency, West Java. The main problem identified was the minimal systematic integration of HMI concepts in early childhood education (ECE) curricula in Indonesia, despite ages 4–8 representing an optimal cognitive developmental window. This program applied a play-based learning approach with scaffolding, utilizing electromyography (EMG) signals from forearm muscle contraction and electrooculography (EOG) signals from eye movements as wheeled robot control interfaces. Participants comprised 20 early childhood learners and 14 stakeholder respondents (educators and parents/guardians). The program was conducted in a four-hour session divided into four stages. Results showed that 100% of child participants independently controlled the robot, surpassing the 75% competency benchmark. Quantitative evaluation of 70 Likert questionnaire data points yielded a combined Satisfaction Index of 100%, distributed as 60.0% "Agree" and 40.0% "Strongly Agree," with zero negative responses. These findings validate the feasibility of biopotential interfaces as developmentally appropriate HMI learning media for early childhood and provide a validated, replicable pedagogical framework for biomedical technology outreach programs in ECE communities.