Harnessing Digital Twins for Human-Robot Teaming in Industry 5.0: Exploring the Ethical and Philosophical Implications

Abstract

In the era of Industry 5.0, the convergence of humans and robots in collaborative work environments has brought forth the concept of digital twins (DTs) of humans and robots. These virtual replicas, mirroring their physical counterparts, have become integral to the design and operation of complex systems. This paper aims to explore the ethical and philosophical implications associated with the design and use of DTs of humans and robots in human-robot collaboration (HRC), and even further in human-robot teaming (HRT). By examining the potential benefits, challenges, and risks, this research seeks to shed light on the responsible development and application of DTs in the context of Industry 5.0.