Virtual reality (VR) has been brought closer to the general public over the past decade as it has become increasingly available for desktop and mobile platforms. As a result, consumer-grade VR may redefine how people learn by creating an engaging “hands-on” training experience. Today, VR applications leverage rich interactivity in a virtual environment without real-world consequences to optimize training programs in companies and educational institutions. Therefore, the main objective of this article was to improve the collaboration and communication practices in 3D virtual worlds with VR and metaverse focused on the educational and productive sector in smart factory. A key premise of our work is that the characteristics of the real environment can be replicated in a virtual world through digital twins, wherein new, configurable, innovative, and valuable ways of working and learning collaboratively can be created using avatar models. To do so, we present a proposal for the development of an experimental framework that constitutes a crucial first step in the process of formalizing collaboration in virtual environments through VR-powered metaverses. The VR system includes functional components, object-oriented configurations, advanced core, interfaces, and an online multi-user system. We present the study of the first application case of the framework with VR in a metaverse, focused on the smart factory, that shows the most relevant technologies of Industry 4.0. Functionality tests were carried out and evaluated with users through usability metrics that showed the satisfactory results of its potential educational and commercial use. Finally, the experimental results show that a commercial software framework for VR games can accelerate the development of experiments in the metaverse to connect users from different parts of the world in real time.

Las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación-TIC generaron un dinamismo productivo, económico y social en los países desarrollados, desde las pasadas cuatro décadas, con la denominada revolución tecnológica digital e industrial. Estos hechos, transformaron a la par los procesos de innovación, de producción y los mercados globales. Fenómeno observado en los contextos macro y microeconómicos. El objetivo de este documento consistió en un análisis estadístico del estado real y uso de las TIC en América Latina en tres períodos de los años dos mil. La metodología utilizada fue la ANOVA con varianza simple y medias, con la prueba F. El uso de factoriales y clústeres de manera sistemática fueron las técnicas manejadas, en estudios transversales, con variables proxis, para una muestra de veintidós países, en una población de treinta y dos. Los resultados mostraron el comportamiento real de las TIC en clústeres diferenciados, destacándose sinergias económicas potenciales entre los países estudiados. El trabajo concluyó sugiriendo que, en América Latina el uso y aplicación de las TIC se mostró aún marginal para la mayoría de los países, hechos contrastados frente a estudios previos y literatura internacional existente, en las estructuras macro y microeconómicas de países desarrollados.

Industry 4.0 is widely recognized as a strategic enabler of productivity, flexibility, and competitiveness in manufacturing systems. However, in emerging economies, declared preparedness for digital transformation often exceeds reported implementation. This study examines the readiness–adoption gap of Industry 4.0 in surveyed large manufacturing companies in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. An empirical cross-sectional study was conducted through a structured survey administered to large manufacturing companies in the region. The instrument was grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model and informed by a sociotechnical understanding of Industry 4.0 adoption. It captured perceptions of ICT infrastructure, workforce capabilities, expected benefits, implementation challenges, ease of use, and the reported implementation status of 20 Industry 4.0 technologies. Data from 59 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, cross-technology comparisons, and an aggregate descriptive synthesis of readiness and adoption indicators. The findings suggest that adoption remains concentrated in foundational technologies such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics, while advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber–physical systems, digital twins, and immersive technologies, show limited implementation despite favorable readiness perceptions. The aggregate synthesis points to a medium-to-high readiness proxy and a substantially lower average adoption level, suggesting the presence of a readiness–adoption gap. The study contributes empirical evidence from large manufacturing companies and derives two practical outputs: a readiness–adoption matrix and a staged roadmap for capability building and technology prioritization. These outputs are presented as context-specific exploratory tools rather than universally validated models.