Digital Twin as a Service: A Human-Focused and Sustainable Future in Industry 5.0

Digital Twin as a Service (DTaaS) platforms are transforming industries by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and improved decision-making. Despite this potential, the integration of these platforms into the Industry 5.0 paradigm, which emphasizes human-centricity and sustainability remains underexplored. This review examines the current applications, implementation strategies and outcomes of DTaaS across key sectors. It highlights the technological, organizational, and human factors influencing their effectiveness, with a particular focus on human-centric design and user interaction. The review identifies gaps in the current deployment of DTaaS, particularly in aligning these platforms with the principles of Industry 5.0. To address these gaps, a framework is proposed, centered on two core pillars: (1) Human-Centricity, emphasizing intuitive interfaces, adaptive learning and user empowerment; (2) Sustainability, integrating energy efficiency, resource optimization and circular economy principles. The proposed framework aims to guide the development of DTaaS platforms that not only enhance operational efficiency but also prioritize the well-being and collaboration of human operators. By bridging the gap between technological innovation and human-centric design, this work contributes to the evolution of Industry 5.0, where digital twins serve as enablers of a more sustainable and human-focused industrial ecosystem. The research work concludes with future research directions, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to fully realize the potential of DTaaS in Industry 5.0.