# Industrial Metaverse: A Comprehensive Review, Environmental Impact, and Challenges
## 7 Future Research Challenges  
A full realization of the IM is constrained by challenges ranging from emerging disputes, regulatory regimes, interoperability, and cybersecurity [109]. Since the IM is an integration of numerous new-generation information technologies, it has grown to be a focus of growing interest for researchers [62]. We focus on cybersecurity where the existence of an IM (as opposed to merely a digital twin) denotes the presence of an additional level of connectivity, either with the Internet or an internal network. IMs use significant amounts of personal data, making them easy targets for hackers. To prevent unauthorized access, businesses must carefully consider how they handle data processing and storage within the IM and ensure that they have stringent security measures in place:  
1. Security by design: The robust datasets linked to digital twins are useful for both businesses and hackers. Digital twins are vulnerable to manipulation by hackers who could use them to harvest identities, encrypt data, extort businesses, or spy on corporate [110] secrets. A case in point is the deployment of fake digital twins, which enable hackers to create virtual versions of users or entire environments using compromised data for criminal intents. A deep flake scenario could, as an example, pose as a dishonest executive member of a company in a Metaverse virtual conference room to trick the victim into disclosing sensitive information. Data Poisoning is another aspect where data from the underlying AI and ML learning systems may be altered. This compromises the insights businesses derive from their simulations and, in the worst case scenario, may result in disastrous business decisions based on inaccurate data. Companies run the risk of allocating funds to unproductive channels in the belief that they are acting based on reliable projections from their digital twins if, for instance, demographic data or action profiles of the modeled target groups are fabricated. Consequently, security and user privacy must be foundational design components that should be considered when creating any Metaverse applications rather than being added on later [111]. 2. Communications and protocol design: Immersive IM experiences will require high download speeds, low latency, and large capacity to facilitate heterogeneous interconnected devices to communicate with the virtual model at the requisite level. In industrial settings, this will require 5G and possibly also 6G networks [109]. To this end, a change in paradigm for the communication protocol will be required that is goal-oriented and semantically aware. A seamless instant messaging experience must be taken into account when designing a communication protocol. In the end, a model design will be needed to standardize the IM's communication protocols, so that it can be accessed from various virtual worlds' heterogeneous communication systems. 3. Energy-efficient and Green IM: The IM market is now projected to be worth between USD 100 and USD 150 billion, with a conservative 2030 forecast of about USD 400 billion, but with a potential of increasing to more than USD 1 trillion [48]. The IM is creating more opportunities for companies and workers and increasing the adoption of greener practices and renewable energy [112]. 4. Limitations of VR and AR technologies: The current limitations in the capabilities and dependability of VR and AR technologies present a significant obstacle to the implementation of the IM in mining. To produce precise and practical digital twins of mines and supply the situational awareness required for increased safety, these technologies may be enhanced. 5. High-cost implementation: The newest gear and software for virtual reality and augmented reality is expensive. To decide if these technologies are feasible for their operations, miners must assess the costs and potential benefits. 6. Human factors and ergonomics: It is critical to protect the health and safety of employees on the IM.