Human‑centric Industry 5.0 manufacturing: a multi‑level framework from design to consumption within Society 5.0

Abstract

Current literature on human-centric Industry 5.0 manufacturing largely focuses on operator–technology integration at manufacturing process level, often treating ‘human’ as synonymous with ‘operator’ and overlooking designers, consumers, and public non-consumers. Links between human-centricity with sustainability, resilience, and circular economy are poorly developed, and connections to Society 5.0 values remain weak. This perspective proposes a hierarchical framework for human-centricity in Industry 5.0 across manufacturing process, system, and management levels. At the process level, it addresses worker safety, occupational health, human-robot-collaboration, and customer co-creation, customisation, and personalisation. At system level, it integrates ergonomic layout design, human-centred logistics and production planning, and resource execution. At management level, it emphasises ethical business practices, inclusive workplace culture, and corporate social responsibility. The framework merges Industry 4.0 tools (e.g. digital twins, AI, IoT, blockchain) with the active role of Consumer 5.0 for balancing consumption and production in sustainable manufacturing, while detailing circular economy practices across manufacturing stages, including design for reuse, remanufacture, and recycling. By connecting diverse human roles with key Industry 5.0 pillars and Society 5.0 principles, we avoid fragmented solutions for human-centric manufacturing. While discussing its social, economic, and technological limitations, we offered a comprehensive framework, which is technologically innovative, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable.