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

Frutos-Pascual, Maite and Creed, Chris and Williams, Ian (2025) Inclusive Immersive Technology in Industry 5.0: Considering Spatial Computing Barriers for Users With Physical Impairments. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 45 (3). pp. 123-133. ISSN 0272-1716

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Official URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11086542

Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1109/MCG.2025.3559265
Dates:	Date Event 21 July 2025 Accepted 21 July 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	training, industries, manufacturing processes, collaboration, people with disabilities, software development management, hardware, spatial computing, object recognition, fifth industrial revolution
Subjects:	CAH11 - computing > CAH11-01 - computing > CAH11-01-01 - computer science
Divisions:	Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering > Computer Science
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	18 Aug 2025 15:26
Last Modified:	18 Aug 2025 15:26
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16598