If you haven’t heard of digital twin technology yet, you will soon. Although there is a lot of hype and fiction about the virtual reality world called the Metaverse, scientists are busy creating a three-dimensional simulation of Earth. In other words, they are creating a digital twin of our planet.
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Definition of digital twin
What is a digital twin? It is a virtual representation of real-world entities and processes, synchronized at a specific frequency and fidelity. In other words, it is an exact digital copy of a physical object. Engineers use digital twins as part of the digital transformation in aerospace manufacturing and, more broadly, Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution. But scientists, doctors, designers, and other experts have also started using digital twins to monitor and understand the physical world on a deeper level.
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How digital twin’s work
When defining what a digital twin is, it is important to understand that we can create digital twins on different levels. Digital twins can range from the smallest transistor on a computer chip to something as vast and complex as our planet’s weather patterns or a logistics company’s truck route.
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Digital twins move 3D simulations forward in the lifecycle as they reflect changes in the real world. Let’s say, for example, that an architect designs a house. They can create a 3D model of the house and even simulate how the structure will hold up as the materials deteriorate over time and weather. But what if we want to know what the real house looks like after we build it? If a severe storm rips some roof tiles off, or if a child accidentally throws a baseball through a window, the digital twin will include those changes.
In practice, engineers equip these products with sensors that monitor them and update virtual versions. That way, they can monitor the product after it leaves the plant. This aids maintenance and informs design and future iterations. According to IBM, digital twins are designed around two-way information flow.
Engineers also use virtual models to run simulations, apply artificial intelligence, and analyze data. Those insights are then shared with physical objects in the real world, creating an intelligent system and a constant feedback loop.
Use cases for digital twins.
Digital twins are especially useful for projects involving physically large structures or mechanically complex systems. It is not surprising that the aerospace industry, which involves large and complex designs, is increasingly adding digital twin technology to its toolkit. Some examples of digital twins from IBM, Popular Mechanics, and Fast Company include:
Aircraft, spaceships, automobiles, etc. in manufacturing
In the design of buildings, bridges and other infrastructure
Power sources and electrical equipment.
A digital twin of the Earth for climate researchers to understand how to plan for extreme weather events and tackle new challenges
Twin hospitals and related outpatient services for physicians and hospital administrators to optimize staffing and operations
A patient’s digital twin to help clinicians monitor disease progression and treatment
Avatars of people with chronic pain, which could help researchers improve and predict the effects of medications
Digital twins of astronauts, which NASA wants to use to prepare for deep space missions.
The future of digital twins
Digital twins are now possible because several technologies have recently matured and been widely adopted, including the Internet of Things, cloud computing, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Digital twins are already making a difference, and as their underlying technologies mature, so does their potential impact.
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