Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing
The evolution of Industry 4.0 and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0 have introduced disruptive technologies that are reshaping modern manufacturing environments. Among these, Digital Twin (DT) and Industrial Metaverse (IM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance O...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8268 |
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| author | Arslan Zahid Aniello Ferraro Antonella Petrillo Fabio De Felice |
| author_facet | Arslan Zahid Aniello Ferraro Antonella Petrillo Fabio De Felice |
| author_sort | Arslan Zahid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The evolution of Industry 4.0 and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0 have introduced disruptive technologies that are reshaping modern manufacturing environments. Among these, Digital Twin (DT) and Industrial Metaverse (IM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). However, a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies integrate to support OHS in manufacturing remains limited. This study systematically explores the transformative role of DT and IM in creating immersive, intelligent, and human-centric safety ecosystems. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 75 peer-reviewed studies from the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was conducted. The review identifies key enabling technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and Collaborative Robots (COBOTS), and highlights their applications in real-time monitoring, immersive safety training, and predictive hazard mitigation. A conceptual framework is proposed, illustrating a synergistic digital ecosystem that integrates predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and immersive training to enhance the OHS. The findings highlight both the transformative benefits and the key adoption challenges of these technologies, including technical complexities, data security, privacy, ethical concerns, and organizational resistance. This study provides a foundational framework for future research and practical implementation in Industry 5.0. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d749e4af493e4a448738b9333a58ecdb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d749e4af493e4a448738b9333a58ecdb2025-08-20T04:00:50ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515826810.3390/app15158268Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in ManufacturingArslan Zahid0Aniello Ferraro1Antonella Petrillo2Fabio De Felice3Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Isola C4 Centro Direzionale, 80143 Napoli, ItalyDipartimento di Studi Economici e Giuridici, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Via Generale Parisi, 80132 Napoli, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Isola C4 Centro Direzionale, 80143 Napoli, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Isola C4 Centro Direzionale, 80143 Napoli, ItalyThe evolution of Industry 4.0 and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0 have introduced disruptive technologies that are reshaping modern manufacturing environments. Among these, Digital Twin (DT) and Industrial Metaverse (IM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). However, a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies integrate to support OHS in manufacturing remains limited. This study systematically explores the transformative role of DT and IM in creating immersive, intelligent, and human-centric safety ecosystems. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 75 peer-reviewed studies from the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was conducted. The review identifies key enabling technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and Collaborative Robots (COBOTS), and highlights their applications in real-time monitoring, immersive safety training, and predictive hazard mitigation. A conceptual framework is proposed, illustrating a synergistic digital ecosystem that integrates predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and immersive training to enhance the OHS. The findings highlight both the transformative benefits and the key adoption challenges of these technologies, including technical complexities, data security, privacy, ethical concerns, and organizational resistance. This study provides a foundational framework for future research and practical implementation in Industry 5.0.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8268digital twinindustrial metaversevirtual realityaugmented realityimmersive realitysafety training |
| spellingShingle | Arslan Zahid Aniello Ferraro Antonella Petrillo Fabio De Felice Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing Applied Sciences digital twin industrial metaverse virtual reality augmented reality immersive reality safety training |
| title | Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing |
| title_full | Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing |
| title_short | Exploring the Role of Digital Twin and Industrial Metaverse Technologies in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety in Manufacturing |
| title_sort | exploring the role of digital twin and industrial metaverse technologies in enhancing occupational health and safety in manufacturing |
| topic | digital twin industrial metaverse virtual reality augmented reality immersive reality safety training |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8268 |
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