# Industrial Metaverse: A Comprehensive Review, Environmental Impact, and Challenges
## 8 Conclusions  
The IM is a virtual space that is used in industrial sectors to create a virtual interconnected network of real-life hardware, processes, and systems with their digital replica. It offers a realistic perspective on how manufacturers can use the Metaverse by recreating actual events in a virtual environment. The IM is driven by a variety of emerging technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, mixed reality (AR/VR), blockchain, cloud computing, edge computing, digital twins, as well as 3D printing and scanning. Several use cases range from industrial design and engineering, supply chain management and logistics, and manufacturing operations and maintenance, training, to research and development. Though it is still in its early phases, the IM has been deployed in many real-world scenarios by businesses like GM, HBC, and auto OEMs. The business is impacted by the IM deployments in both positive and negative ways such as energy consumption, the creation of e-waste, and pollution in certain cases. Research shows that most IM applications have a positive impact on the environment and are sustainable. Through the use of the IM, we can conduct tasks that would typically require a physical presence in the real world--such as traveling to conventions and concerts, going to work, and attending international congresses in a fully virtual setting from the comfort of one's home or office. This significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trains, or aeroplanes. Furthermore, GM has been utilizing Siemens' Process Simulate to quickly design an ergonomically sound production line. To account for modifications to the designs of current vehicles and the manufacturing of new ones, General Motors must periodically upgrade its production line. Engineers use virtual reality gear to immerse themselves in the designs while working remotely in order to maximize efficiency. This facilitates the comprehension of operator movements, hand clearances, manual assembly, and line of sight. Engineers can use this information to detect issues early on and find solutions before they become problems in the real world. Additionally, the IM's ability to connect users with real-time energy consumption data can improve their understanding of patterns in energy usage and empower them to make wise decisions about their energy use. The majority of use case scenarios involving the IM's deployment have resulted in privacy and security concerns. These encompass data security, privacy implications, and regulatory compliance.  
S.M.N.: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, writing--original draft, visualization. M.V.: conceptualization, methodology, writing--original draft, writing--review and editing, supervision, project administration, funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number 141918).  
No data were used for the research described in the article.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.