Semantic Interoperability in IoT for Industry 4.0: Review, Taxonomy, Challenges, and Future Research

Abstract

Semantic interoperability is a critical enabler for achieving the Industry 4.0 vision, ensuring that heterogeneous Internet of Things (IoT) devices, systems, and applications can exchange and interpret data consistently. Despite its importance, achieving semantic interoperability remains a significant challenge due to the diversity of data formats, standards, and ontologies used across industrial IoT environments. This paper presents a comprehensive review and taxonomy of semantic interoperability within Industry 4.0, analyzing existing frameworks, protocols, and ontological models. We classify current approaches based on their architectural layers, semantic technologies, and application domains. Additionally, this study identifies the limitations of prevailing solutions, highlights open research challenges, and proposes future directions for enhancing semantic interoperability in industrial IoT systems. The insights provided aim to support researchers and practitioners in developing scalable, secure, and semantically aligned IoT ecosystems for Industry 4.0.