Abstract

Abstract
The increasing adoption of the Digital Twin concept and technology for managing complex physical assets has led to the emergence of Digital Twin Ecosystems, where interconnected digital twins generate additional value. However, ensuring seamless data sharing and interoperability among diverse systems presents significant challenges. Although research on digital twin architectures has advanced, gaps remain in addressing data governance, security, and stakeholders’ trust. This study performs a comprehensive literature review to investigate architectural solutions to overcome challenges in digital twin ecosystems. The findings identify key requirements such as interoperability, governance, and data management, emphasizing the role of Data Spaces as enablers of secure data sharing. By structuring the requirements for digital twin ecosystem architectures, this paper identifies gaps suggesting future research on scalable and sustainable digital twin ecosystem implementations. These insights are expected to contribute to the development of frameworks that integrate technical advances with organizational and regulatory considerations, ultimately fostering the adoption of digital twin ecosystems across industries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract
This paper evaluates an Augmented Reality (AR) solution designed to support quality control in a assembly line inspection station before body marriage at a European automotive manufacturer. A three-phase methodology was applied: an AS-IS assessment, a formative evaluation of an intermediate prototype, and a summative evaluation under real production conditions. The AR solution aimed to improve task standardization, non-value-added time (NVAT), and enhance operator accuracy. The results showed that operators successfully developed inspections using the AR tool, identifying and correcting non-conformities (NOKs) while maintaining task duration. Participants valued having contextual information directly in their field of vision and reported increased rigor and consistency. However, usability and ergonomic improvements were noted, such as headset weight, gesture interaction, and visibility over dark components. The findings highlight AR’s potential to support operator autonomy and accuracy in industrial environments while emphasizing the need for human-centered design and integration to ensure long-term adoption. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract

Abstract