Inclusive Immersive Technology in Industry 5.0: Considering Spatial Computing Barriers for Users With Physical Impairments

Industry 5.0 offers the potential to reshape manufacturing processes and aims to improve the working environment for all users. The promise of the natural integration of immersive technologies, namely, augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) and usable spatial interfaces, with traditional industry processes presents an opportunity to improve efficiency, accuracy, training, and collaboration. However, for Industry 5.0 to deliver on this potential, it is paramount that fully inclusive systems are created by placing all users at the center of the AR/VR spatial interface design, development, and implementation. This article discusses hurdles that could manifest in Industry 5.0 AR/VR spatial interfaces for users with physical impairments. We discuss the challenges that have been reported in prior academic literature specifically relating to software, hardware, ethics, and collaboration and connect these to spatial interface elements for potential Industry 5.0 uses of AR/VR technology. We present six indicative Industry 5.0 spatial interface scenarios, which cover a spectrum of potential applications ranging from training though to collaboration, and illustrate where these barriers may manifest for users with a physical impairment. While we do not present an exhaustive list of scenarios, we present a representation of tasks and a starting point for discussion, which can inform developers, designers, and researchers on how to consider a more inclusive approach to spatial Industry 5.0 interfaces.