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Digital twin

By 2022, over two-thirds of companies that have implemented IoT will have deployed at least one digital twin in production.

WHAT IS A DIGITAL TWIN?

A precise digital replica of something in the real world – a process, machine, factory or even an entire city. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors gather data from the physical world and send it to computers to reconstruct. The digital twin is continuously updated to mirror the state of its physical counterpart.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Creating a digital twin gives a deeper understanding of real-time processes. It offers valuable insights into how to improve efficiency and product quality or reduce maintenance and waste. Digital twins also enable virtual support, without an engineer having to be on site. Experiments can be carried out with much less risk and a lot more return on investment.

FACTS AND FIGURES

  • 13% of organizations implementing IoT projects already use digital twins, while 62% are either in the process of establishing digital twin use or plan to do so.
  • By 2022, over two-thirds of companies that have implemented IoT will have deployed at least one digital twin in production.

WHERE DOES THE CONCEPT COME FROM?

The concept of ‘pairing’ goes back to early space travel, when NASA built analogue models on the ground to monitor and modify spacecraft that were thousands of miles above the earth. As computer power increased, these models became digital. The term digital twin was attributed to University of Michigan’s Michael Grieves in 2002, but didn’t become more commonly used until the widespread adoption of IoT technology.

DIGITAL TWIN EXAMPLES

Digital twin technology is being applied in a wide variety of uses:

  • In Formula One racing, every millisecond counts. Digital twins offer valuable insights into how to maximize a car’s performance.
  • IoT sensors and digital twin technology are enabling farmers to improve crop yield, reduce wastage and cut fertilizer use.
  • 3DEXPERIENCity is a digital twin of Singapore. It has enabled the citystate to improve energy consumption, fine-tune traffic flows and advise shops on opening hours.
  • The UK wants to create a digital twin of the entire country’s infrastructure to help it handle issues like climate change, population changes and energy consumption. This mammoth task could take decades to complete.
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ANDRITZ Automation

ANDRITZ Automation is a leading supplier for automation services and tools for a wide range of industries.

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