Digital twin technology is no longer confined to just manufacturing. It has already entered into the integrated world of IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, and data analytics. As more IoT devices and objects become intricately connected, they generate enormous amounts of data. Digital equivalents of real-world objects are created, which allow data scientists and IT professionals to run simulations before the actual systems or objects are built or deployed. These are nothing but digital twins.
What are digital twins?
- Digital twins are virtual representations of real-world physical objects or systems to accurately reflect them for modelling purposes.
- While digital twin technology may sound like a concept from a science fiction movie or book, it is widely used by businesses around the world.
- In 2021, the digital twin industry worldwide was valued at $6.5 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach $135.7 billion by 2030. This means growth at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.48%.
- Digital twin technology makes it possible to study the performance, spot inefficiencies, and design solutions to improve the functioning of the real equivalent of the digital twin.
- Digital twins can also be paired with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to create highly accurate predictive models and produce more accurate outcomes than other simulations.
How do digital twins function?
- In digital twin technology, the physical object that is being studied is outfitted with sensors.
- The sensors generate data about various functionalities and different aspects of the object’s performance.
- These sensors continuously update the digital counterparts with high quality, granular data.
- Based on the data, the digital twins can be used to generate simulations.
- The data from the sensors allows the digital twins to simulate real-world objects in real-time.
- The virtual model makes it possible to identify any potential problems or performance issues and generate valuable insights.
- The improvements can be applied to the original physical object.
Types of digital twins
There are different types of digital twins based on the level of product improvement. The scope and purpose of various types of digital twins vary considerably from each other.
Here are the four main types of digital twins.
Component (part) twins
- virtual representations of an individual component or part of a product or system.
- They are the basic units of a digital twin.
- Smallest example of a functioning component.
Asset (product) twins
- Digital representations of two or more components working together.
- Asset twins let businesses study the interaction of components and how they function within the real world.
- With asset twins, a huge amount of performance data can be generated, processed, and then turned into valuable actionable insights.
System (unit) twins
- This enables you to see how different assets from multiple systems work together to form a single functioning system.
- Understanding how different assets work with each other provides the opportunity to improve performance, efficiency, and productivity.
Process twins
- It is the virtual representation of systems working together to create an entire production factory.
- It helps determine whether all the systems are functioning in synchronisation with each other or if there is any lag in one system that is impacting the others.
- Process twins can help achieve effectiveness and peak efficiency in the entire factory.
Benefits of digital twins
- With the data collected and valuable insights from digital twins, the quality of real-world products can be improved by designers and engineers.
- Digital twins can help businesses gain operational efficiencies across value chains by providing them with valuable insights through different datasets.
- By means of remote monitoring and assistance, organizations can help mitigate challenges, thus improving the productivity of employees.
- Digital twins can monitor production systems and maintain peak efficiency throughout the manufacturing process, resulting in improved efficiency.
- With the valuable insights provided by the digital twins, businesses can get constant insight into how their products are performing in real-time on the field. Thus, iteration and innovation of products can be done quickly.
- Through virtual modelling of a customer’s journey when making a purchase or entering a retail store, digital twins can improve the customer experience significantly.
- With an abundance of data about the likely performance outcomes, the use of digital twin technology can lead to better research and development of products.
- Digital twins also help manufacturers to know what they should do with products that have reached the end-of-life. These products need to receive final processing through recycling or any other means.
Digital twins and IoT
- The Internet of Things (IoT) forms the backbone of digital twin technology.
- Both digital twins and IoT are transforming the way the digital and real world interact with each other.
- IoT sensors provide access to real-world data about the physical objects that are interlinked with digital twins.
- With the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, digital twins can optimize IoT deployment for better efficiency to help designers identify how things should be or how they function before being deployed in the real world.
Various industries where twin technology is being used
Many industries around the world have already adopted digital twins in their business operations. Some of these industries include:
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Power generation
- Automotive
- Retail
- Pharmaceuticals
- Construction
- Supply chain
- Architecture
Digital twins are one of the tech trends that are expected to grow rapidly in the future due to the expansion of IoT, AI, extended reality, and cloud computing. Many companies across the globe have already started using it for different business processes, from manufacturing to maintenance. Organizations are gaining enhanced visibility into their data through digital twins. These insights can be used to create a positive impact on their customers, employees, and bottom line.