Mapping the Knowledge Base on Visual Reality Technology and the Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

Virtual reality applications provide users with more than just realistic sight; they may also sense touch, hear, and even interact with virtual objects. With these significant advancements, virtual reality has seen recent growth surges in a number of sectors, including the manufacturing industry. It has to be successful in drawing attention from both academics and industry. It needs to be known how researchers are interested in the technology application. Therefore, examining the body of research on the connection between visual reality and the manufacturing industry is the goal of this research. The bibliometric study was carried out using the Scopus database. Using PRISMA, the sample procedure was finished. VOSviewer was utilized to search through 2,037 publications. This disclosed the expansion of the network, the most active contributing stakeholders, the backdrop of the intellectual framework, the research gap, and the greatest popular topic that needed to be filled. We observed that starting in 1992, papers pertaining to the influence of virtual reality on the manufacturing industry collected from the Scopus database were included. The words “augmented reality,” “virtual reality,” “process simulation,” “industrial internet of things,” “industry 4.0 technologies,” and “3D technologies" have been widely used since 1992. The density map's representation of contemporary themes includes “artificial intelligence” and “human-robot interaction.” The significance of the findings for researchers lies in their relevance to the past, present, and future, along with the identification of knowledge gaps.