Many industries once used asbestos in a wide range of products, from insulation to fire retardants. It is now understood that exposure to this dangerous mineral can lead to fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Industry 4.0 revolutionized the way manufacturers design, create, and distribute their products. Its focus was on efficiency and productivity using the industrial internet of things (IIOT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and automation. However, in early 2021 the European Commission released a report introducing Industry 5.0, focusing on the wellbeing of the worker within the production process.