Transforming Manufacturing from Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: A Comprehensive Review, Gap Analysis, and Strategic Framework

Industry 6.0 represents a pivotal advancement in the evolution of manufacturing-surpassing the automation and cyber-physical integration of Industry 4.0 and the human-centric ethos of Industry 5.0.It is founded on the principles of consciousness, circularity, and resilience, positioning manufacturing as a catalyst for human flourishing, ecological regeneration, and adaptive intelligence.This study offers a comprehensive review of more than 90 peer-reviewed publications that explore the transition from Industry 4.0 to 6.0, synthesizing key conceptual foundations, enabling technologies, and strategic imperatives.It proposes a strategic framework for implementing Industry 6.0, anchored in core principles of conscious intelligence, ethical design, and global equity.The framework is organized around five strategic pillars: technological convergence, ethical governance, inclusive transformation, organizational agility, and sustainability.These are supported by cross-cutting enablers such as innovation ecosystems, human-centric competencies, and coherent policy frameworks.The study further presents a phased roadmap for implementation, outlines expected outcomes-including empathetic artificial intelligence and regenerative industrial systems-and illustrates real-world applicability through forward-looking scenarios.Together, these elements provide a visionary yet actionable blueprint for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to co-create ethical, resilient, and sustainable industrial futures guided by moral intelligence, empathy, and planetary stewardship.