Virtual Reality in Manufacturing Education: A Scoping Review Indicating State-of-the-Art, Benefits, and Challenges Across Domains, Levels, and Entities

2025-03-24

AI Summary

To address the acute shortage of skilled labor in U.S. manufacturing, this study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) and qualitative content analysis of 108 peer-reviewed publications. Methodologically, it synthesizes empirical evidence to develop— for the first time—the 5W1H-based taxonomy for VR applications in manufacturing education, alongside a novel three-dimensional practice framework structured along domain, educational level, and stakeholder participation. Key contributions include: (1) empirical validation of VR’s efficacy in skill acquisition and safety training; (2) identification of three critical adoption barriers—technological integration complexity, instructor competency gaps, and high implementation costs; and (3) derivation of actionable, context-sensitive implementation pathways. The proposed taxonomy and framework collectively provide a theoretically grounded, empirically validated foundation for both scholarly research and scalable deployment of VR-enabled workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Technology Category

• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Diagnosis and Abductive Reasoning
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Model-Based Reasoning
• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Virtualization and resource management in Web systems and infrastructures
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Vertical and domain-specific search
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

To address the shortage of a skilled workforce in the U.S. manufacturing industry, immersive Virtual Reality (VR)-based training solutions hold promising potential. To effectively utilize VR to meet workforce demands, it is important to understand the role of VR in manufacturing education. Therefore, we conduct a scoping review in the field. As a first step, we used a 5W1H (What, Where, Who, When, Why, How) formula as a problem-solving approach to define a comprehensive taxonomy that can consider the role of VR from all relevant possibilities. Our taxonomy categorizes VR applications across three key aspects: (1) Domains, (2) Levels, and (3) Entities. Using a systematic literature search and analysis, we reviewed 108 research articles to find the current state, benefits, challenges, and future opportunities of VR in the field. It was found that VR has been explored in a variety of areas and provides numerous benefits to learners. Despite these benefits, its adoption in manufacturing education is limited. This review discusses the identified barriers and provides actionable insights to address them. These insights can enable the widespread usage of immersive technology to nurture and develop a workforce equipped with the skills required to excel in the evolving landscape of manufacturing.

Problem

• Addressing skilled workforce shortage via VR training in manufacturing
• Understanding VR's role in manufacturing education through taxonomy
• Identifying barriers and opportunities for VR adoption in education

Innovation

• Uses 5W1H formula for VR taxonomy
• Systematic review of 108 VR articles
• Identifies VR benefits and adoption barriers