What is a Digital Twin?

Digital Twin and How does it work

 

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a process, product, or service. This fusion of the virtual and physical worlds enables data analysis and system monitoring to prevent problems from occurring, reduce downtime, discover new opportunities, and even plan for the future using simulations.

 

A digital twin is a model of a real physical object in use that is kept up to date. It reflects the current state of the asset and incorporates pertinent historical data. Digital twins can be used to assess the asset's current state and, more crucially, to forecast future behavior, refine control, and optimize operation.

 

After being given this information, the virtual model may be used to run simulations, investigate performance concerns, and suggest changes, all with the purpose of gaining important insights that can later be applied to the original physical thing.

 

In brief, having one can help improve strategic technological trends, prevent costly breakdowns in physical objects, and test processes and services utilizing superior analytical, monitoring, and predictive capabilities.

 

(Do you know How AI can be integrated in IoT, the fusion of two important technologies?)

 

Types of Digital Twins

 

Depending on the extent of product magnification, many sorts of digital twins exist. The field of application is where these twins differ the most. Different sorts of digital twins frequently coexist within a system or process. Let's look at the many forms of digital twins to see how they differ and how they're used.

 

Watch this: Introduction to Digital Twin: Simple, but detailed

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1. Parts twins/Component twins

 

These are digital representations of different products. Manufacturers construct virtual representations of their products and test them under various scenarios. 

 

Before a production line is set up and a physical product is built, all essential adjustments to the product can be done on a single product level. It leads to more efficient design and lowers production costs while also shortening time to market.

 

2. Process Twins

 

These are manufacturing process digital models. Businesses can analyze the functioning of a manufacturing process in various scenarios by using a virtual model of how it might perform in different scenarios. 

 

This is the simplest strategy for developing a productive production methodology. With a digital doppelganger for each piece of equipment, this procedure can be fine-tuned. For businesses, this means being able to implement preventive maintenance systems. This reduces costly downtime and speeds up industrial operations in a safe and efficient manner.

 

3. System Twins

 

Digital models of entire plants or factory systems are also created. A variety of devices and products in an existing system can capture large amounts of operational data. This aids in the acquisition of knowledge for the production of newer and better business prospects that optimize all processes involved.

 

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Applications of Digital Twins in different sectors

 

The digital twin notion is without a doubt the next big thing in most industries. By evaluating digital equivalents, it will aid in the precise prediction of the existing and future state of physical assets. 

 

An organization can acquire smarter and more accurate insights into product performance and improve customer service by using a digital twin. Based on the information acquired, businesses would be able to make better operational and strategic decisions. Here are a few of the industries that make substantial use of them.

 

1. Manufacturing

 

Digital twins are reshaping the manufacturing business, allowing for more efficient design models as well as better maintenance and upgrades. Manufacturers will be able to dramatically reduce production times.

 

 

2. Automobile

 

Digital twins capture behavioral and operational data while creating a virtual model of a linked vehicle. This aids in the analysis of the vehicle's general operating and performance levels, as well as all of its linked features, resulting in a personalized experience for car owners that can be tailored to their unique requirements.

 

(Read how - AR in Automobile Industry)

 

 

3. Retail

 

Virtual models of customers can be produced to try on garments, lipstick colors, and accessories, similar to how virtual models of customers are utilized in online shopping. Digital twins can be used to replicate the look of an interior design plan, down to the decor and fittings. 

 

This is what the customer experience is all about, and the digital twin helps to enhance the retail consumer experience by developing virtual twins and modeling how a customer would look or feel in certain settings. In-store planning, security implementation, and energy consumption control can all benefit from digital twins.

 

 

4. Healthcare

 

Within the healthcare field, digital twin applications can be found in a variety of settings. It can create smooth functioning at every stage, from patient monitoring to preventive healthcare and even tailored healthcare outcomes based on digital twin simulations, when integrated with IoT.

 

( Must Read: Emerging Technologies Revolutionizing Healthcare in 2022 )

 

Business Advantages of Digital Twins

 

Manufacturing has been the primary application of digital twins. However, this is rapidly changing, and a wide spectrum of organizations, particularly those incorporating IoT into operational operations, can benefit. In the near future, several industries will realize the benefits of digital twins.

 

Production of a Fault-Free Product at a Low Cost

 

It can be costly to bring a product from the drawing board to the showroom. Each iteration of the product entails a number of steps as well as labor expenditures. 

 

A company can use digital twins to decrease present or potential flaws during production by allowing engineers to test and simulate the product in a virtual environment. In a virtual environment, correcting errors is far more cost-effective than in a real one.

 

Smart Cities

 

Digital twins can aid in the planning of more smart cities, and when paired with IoT, they can boost economic development through better resource management, a reduction in industry's environmental footprint, and an overall improvement in quality of life. 

 

City planners will be able to adopt better policies for the administration and maintenance of a city based on insights obtained from numerous sensor networks and intelligent technologies, with an eye toward accommodating expansion.

 

Watch this: Why digital twins will be the backbone of industry in the future

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Future of Digital Twins

 

Because growing amounts of cognitive capacity are constantly being devoted to their usage, the future of digital twins is almost endless. As a result, digital twins are always acquiring new skills and capabilities, allowing them to continue to generate the insights required to improve goods and processes.

 

Existing operational models are certainly changing fundamentally. Asset-intensive businesses are undergoing a digital revolution that is disrupting operating patterns and necessitating an integrated physical and digital perspective of assets, equipment, buildings, and processes. The use of digital twins is an important aspect of that realignment.