Sensing Technologies, Digital Twins, and Human–Robot Collaboration in Intelligent Manufacturing

Dear Colleagues,

The convergence of advanced sensing, digitalization, and artificial intelligence is propelling manufacturing into a new era of smart manufacturing. This transformation is best understood through the lens of cyber–physical–human systems, where physical assets, digital models, and human expertise are intricately linked to create adaptive, efficient, and resilient production environments.

Human-centric Digital Twins are central to this evolution. They extend traditional digital twin models by integrating human operators into the digital framework, thereby enhancing the human aspect of cyber–physical systems. This integration enables real-time monitoring and AI-driven support, particularly in human–robot collaboration contexts, to improve safety, ergonomics, and overall well-being.

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and case studies that deliver fresh insights, novel methodologies, or real-world applications exploring the synergies among these transformative technologies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advanced sensing technologies for smart manufacturing;
• AI-based digital twin applications in manufacturing systems;
• Human knowledge-centered decision making in manufacturing;
• Sustainable manufacturing technologies;
• Smart remanufacturing approaches;
• Digitalization and servitization of manufacturing.

Dr. Chao Liu
Dr. Haidong Shao
Prof. Dr. Baicun Wang
Guest Editors

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