Innovation Ecosystems for Operator 5.0 in Mobile Machinery: Applicability of Sociotechnical Transitions and a Research Agenda

Abstract

This study evaluates how sociotechnical transition frameworks can guide the adoption of human–machine interfaces and haptics in mobile machinery under the Operator 5.0 paradigm. We combine a state-of-the-art review with transparent snowballing, project-based expert evaluations, and stakeholder workshops conducted in 2025. A multi-system event-sequence analysis is used to connect ecosystem roles, platform governance, and standardization dynamics with firm-level technology related decisions. The review and expert synthesis reveal a fragmented landscape across sensing, controls, safety, and user experience. We identify four cross-cutting priorities for near-term progress: health- and state-informed assistance that leverages existing machine signals; digital-twin-in-the-loop validation to gate field trials; explainable shared control and clear authority handovers; and operator-centric metrics (workload, trust, safety-envelope adherence) as first-class requirements alongside productivity and energy. The study consolidates a taxonomy of human-machine interface and haptics for mobile machinery, maps ecosystem roles, and sets out a research agenda to bridge the lab-to-field gap and accelerate safe, human-centric deployment consistent with Operator 5.0.