Human-robot collaboration integrated with virtual reality in construction and manufacturing industries: A systematic review

The integration of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) into Virtual Reality (VR) technology is transforming industries by enhancing workforce skills, improving safety, and optimizing operational processes and efficiency through realistic simulations of industry-specific scenarios. Despite the growing adoption of VR integrated with HRC, comprehensive reviews of current research in HRC-VR within the construction and manufacturing fields are lacking. This review examines the latest advances in designing and implementing HRC using VR technology in these industries. The aim is to address the application domains of HRC-VR, types of robots used, VR setups, and software solutions used. To achieve this, a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology was conducted on the Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, analyzing 383 articles and selecting 53 papers that met the established selection criteria. The findings emphasize a significant focus on enhancing human-robot interaction with a trend toward using immersive VR experiences and interactive 3D content creation tools. However, the integration of HRC with VR, especially in the dynamic construction environment, presents unique challenges and opportunities for future research, including developing more realistic simulations and adaptable robot systems. This paper offers insights for researchers, practitioners, educators, industry professionals, and policymakers interested in leveraging the integration of HRC with VR in construction and manufacturing industries.