Integrating Mixed Reality with Key Digital Technologies for Elevating On-Site Construction Efficiency: An Integrative Review and Framework

Abstract

The global architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector faces a persistent productivity paradox characterized by stagnant growth, frequent schedule overruns, and slow digital adoption. While the emergence of Construction 4.0 introduces automation and data analytics, this technology-centric concept often risks marginalizing the indispensable cognitive abilities of human professionals on dynamic jobsites. Mixed reality (MR) presents a critical solution by offering an immersive, human-centric interface aligned with Industry 5.0 principles, yet a holistic understanding of its integration with other key digital technologies remains elusive. The current literature primarily offers bespoke, isolated proofs of concept for specific tasks, creating a critical knowledge gap regarding how to synthesize these disparate technological integrations into scalable solutions. Consequently, a systematic framework that translates complex technical capabilities into demonstrable on-site project management value is urgently needed. This paper addresses this gap by systematically reviewing the integration of MR with other prominent technologies to develop a unified framework. A rigorous two-phase review methodology was employed, beginning with a bibliometric analysis that identified robotics, computer vision, and digital twins as the most critical technologies integrated with MR technology. Subsequently, a systematic literature review of N  = 85 publications analyzed the specific integration architectures, application domains, synergistic benefits, and implementation barriers for each technological pairing. The findings indicate that MR is evolving beyond a conventional visualization tool toward a human-centric cyber–physical interface that enables bidirectional coordination between physical site operations and digital project control systems. Theoretically, this study reframes MR as an intelligent integration interface situated at the human–system boundary, rather than merely a passive terminal display. Practically, this conceptualization is operationalized through a structured five-layer integrative framework comprising the physical layer, perception and interaction layer, data integration and middleware layer, data model and analytics layer, and management and decision-making layer. The proposed framework provides a systematic and actionable foundation for researchers, technology developers, and project managers to guide implementation strategies, address adoption challenges, and advance human-centered digital transformation in construction environments.