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Wearable Technologies in Agriculture 4.0: A Systematic Review of Applications for Worker Safety and Ergonomic Support

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Purpose: The adoption of wearable technologies in agriculture is increasing in response to the growing need for solutions that enhance worker safety, monitor health conditions, and improve operational performance.This review investigates the current landscape of wearable devices applied in agricultural settings.The main research question explores how wearable technologies contribute to the prevention of occupational risks and the support of agricultural workers across different farming contexts.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted according to the PRISMA protocol.A comprehensive search was performed in the Scopus database using a structured Boolean query to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies addressing wearable devices in agriculture with a focus on health, safety, and performance outcomes.The selection process included identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and full-text analysis.A total of 15 studies were included in the final review.Results: The reviewed studies report the use of various wearable technologies, including inertial measurement units, exoskeletons, smart glasses, and environmental sensors.Applications span viticulture, livestock farming, and general field operations.Wearable systems demonstrate high accuracy in posture detection, activity classification, and physiological monitoring.Positive impacts are observed in ergonomic support, fatigue reduction, and situational awareness.However, challenges remain regarding comfort, long-term usability, and validation under real-world conditions.Conclusion: Wearable devices show strong potential in advancing occupational health and operational efficiency in agriculture.Further research should focus on ergonomic optimization, long-term deployment, and integration with digital farm management systems to enable widespread and sustainable adoption.

Source: International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

DOI: 10.6007/ijarbss/v15-i8/26140

Authors: Andrea Apicella, Angela Tarabella

Institution: University of Pisa

Language: English

Topic: Agriculture and Farm Safety

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4413254798