# Virtual Reality and Digital Twins for Catastrophic Failure Prevention in Industry 4.0
## 1 Introduction
### Issues and Applications  
Despite these advances, industries face significant challenges in implementing such technological solutions. First, there is a lack of trained personnel to operate and maintain increasingly digitized systems. The introduction of advanced machinery requires ensuring the adequate training of all workers, which is critical to maintaining productivity and operational safety [4]. Recent reviews highlight that the continuous training of industrial personnel is vital in order to equip them with the skills needed in changing environments [5]. Secondly, many operations occur in remote or hazardous environments, such as subway mines, power facilities located far from urban centers and highly automated factories, among others. This has generated a need for tools to overcome adverse equipment situations. Physical access for inspection and maintenance at these sites is difficult, costly and risky, which has motivated the search for remote monitoring and remote operation alternatives [6; 7]. For example, BP implemented digital twins to monitor and maintain oil facilities in isolated regions, increasing operational reliability without the constant presence of personnel in the field [8]. Third, the increasing complexity of industrial systems poses an additional obstacle. The convergence of multiple technologies and the enormous amount of data generated in smart factories make it difficult to comprehensively understand processes [9]. Managers and personnel in charge of overseeing and managing maintenance face the challenge of handling massive volumes of information in real time, which is indispensable for harnessing the potential of Industry 4.0 but requires new analytical and management capabilities [4]. Likewise, integrating these advanced technologies without affecting the existing safety culture brings with it a major challenge, where automation and intelligent monitoring promise to simplify risk management but must coexist with the human and organizational factors that have historically underpinned safe performance [10]. Faced with these problems, there is a need for innovative technological tools to support industrial maintenance and personnel training while improving safety in remote or complex operations. One of these tools is remote monitoring through digital twins, which allows users to supervise equipment and processes remotely in real time. Several use cases have demonstrated the value of this technology: for example, Siemens developed digital twins of electrical systems and treatment plants to monitor pipelines in real time and detect faults trends in advance, issuing early warnings before incidents occurred [8]. Similarly, SAP reports that virtual twin inspections can identify incipient faults more cost-effectively than physical inspections, improving the safety of equipment by predicting its future evolution [8]. These predictive capabilities are especially useful in remote environments, where early responses can prevent disasters. Another indispensable tool is virtual reality applied to training. VR makes it possible to create immersive environments where operators practice maintenance tasks and operating procedures without interrupting production or exposing themselves to real hazards. For example, [PERSON] et al. developed a VR system for equipment maintenance in the oil industry, demonstrating that workers can train off-site without affecting daily operations and receive immediate feedback on their actions [11]. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. (2020) [11] implemented a VR simulator for the maintenance of diesel engines in mining locomotives, given that the size and weight of these engines made their availability for training difficult. The virtual solution allowed for the training of personnel in a safe and low-cost environment, achieving satisfactory results in comfort, immersion and usability, validated by maintenance experts [11].