Digital Twin - Introduction

Introduction of Digital Twin

Digital Twin is one of the building blocks of the metaverse concept connected with virtual reality. Digital Twin works in a variety of enterprise applications. It is a virtual model of physical object or process to simulate real-world counterpart.

The following block diagram depicts a very basic model of how a Digital Twin works −

Digital Twins are used in different purposes. Some of the key points are listed below −

• Predict Performance − Digital Twin is used to simulate and predict the performance of physical product.
• Detect Errors − Digital Twin takes real-time data from sensors and monitor operations and detect the errors.
• Decision Making − Digital Twin simulates real situations. It helps organization to take better decisions.
• Machine Learning Algorithms − Digital Twin uses machine learning algorithms and process large quantities of sensor data.
• Remote Monitoring − Digital Twin allows you to control and monitor the dangerous industrial equipment.
• Preventive Maintenance − Digital Twin is used to model on individual equipment or manufacturing process to identify the need for preventive maintenance.
• Interoperability − Digital Twin technology is used in different enterprise applications. Some of the applications are CAD,PLM,ERP etc., Enterprise asset system is used to manage and monitor the integration of digital twins.

Types of Digital Twins

Digital Twins are used in different representations, such as −

• A Product Twin is a digital representation of a product.
• Data Twin is an example of Google Maps link with real-time data.
• A System Twin is a model which can interact between physical and digital processes.
• An Infrastructure Twin is a representation of physical infrastructure like highways, buildings, etc.

History of Digital Twin

During the year 1969, NASA augmented training simulators used to diagnose the problem of damaged spacecraft. It was a Digital Twin that exactly replicated a version which was used for study and simulation purpose by NASA.