Exploring the Cognitive Workload Assessment According to Human-Centric Principles in Industry 5.0

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 paradigms have been crucial for companies in employing digital technologies as an ally for men to free them from dangerous and routine tasks in favour of higher value tasks, putting humans at the centre of the organization as the decision maker. However, on the one hand, the new industrial systems shift to new tasks requiring more ‘cognitive’ than ‘physical’ efforts; on the other hand, the approaches to assess the cognitive workload and ensure the physical well-being of the operators are far to be considered easily applicable. For this reason, this research reveals current research trajectories and explores the cognitive workload using subjective and objective indicators. The discussion highlights cognitive ergonomics and advocates for a harmonious balance between human and machine capabilities. It identifies factors contributing to cognitive overload in manufacturing and maps their interconnections. The analysis of recent research trends reveals a growing adoption of new approaches requiring the adoption of physiological measurements (e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), etc.). Finally, this investigation offers insights into future research directions, urging a nuanced exploration of industrial activities and addressing cognitive workload across organisational layers in the context of Industry 5.0.