If you had met someone at a casino in the early 90s, do you think they’d have believed you if you had told them they would be able to enjoy their favorite gambling games remotely in the future? Well, currently, the gambling realm is getting more advanced by the day, and players, thanks to platforms like the Vulkan Vegas Casino, enjoy top-notch gaming on their screens that can hardly be distinguished from real-life action due to the advanced technologies used during the game development process. Certainly, our lives have been transformed more than we could have ever imagined thanks to rapidly advancing technology. However, we’ve just scratched the surface of the potential of what modern tech can do, which brings us to the concept of digital twins.
What would it be like to have a duplicate version of yourself? A digital twin that looks and acts just like you, placed perfectly at your workplace, home, or city? Even better, imagine if this virtual version of you couldn’t feel pain, experience embarrassment, or get hurt. The possibilities are astounding, right? You might find it easier to make choices since the results would be more certain. This heightened certainty is extremely valuable in business — and the emerging concept analyzed in this article may help deliver it.
What Is a Digital Twin?
The term refers to a virtual version of something tangible, like a bridge, car, or tree. Instead of just being a simple 3D model, it is a detailed information tool that acts as a shared data source created during the project planning and covers every stage of an asset’s life—from design and production to construction, operation, and maintenance. It even considers its future use or recycling. How about that?
It is necessary to understand that such virtual versions of objects are not like static data models; they are dynamic and constantly evolving in real time. However unbelievable it may sound, they can learn, adapt, and interact with their physical versions. They share data throughout the asset’s life using AI, machine learning, and IoT technologies. With these ever-changing simulations, users can anticipate issues before they arise, discover new possibilities, and make better plans for the future.
What Is the History of Digital Twin Technology?
The concept of this technology was first mentioned in Mirror Worlds, a 1991 book by American computer scientist and artist David Gelernter. However, Dr. Michael Grieves, a University of Michigan professor, was the one who first applied the idea to manufacturing in 2002 and introduced the digital twin software concept. Later, in 2010, John Vickers from NASA came up with the today-known terminology.
The basic concept of analyzing physical objects using this tech dates back much earlier. In fact, it can be said that NASA pioneered this innovation during its space missions in the 1960s. Each spacecraft on a mission had its replica on Earth at that time. This allowed NASA teams to study and simulate situations for the space crews.
How Does It Work?
Creating a digital twin starts with collecting a large amount of data about the asset. Vital insights include its appearance, how it reacts in various conditions, and its interaction with the surrounding stuff. You’ll use this information to create a virtual version that closely mirrors the original asset.
A digital twin goes beyond just looking like the real thing; it also acts like it. This is possible thanks to 3D modeling, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and IoT. The real asset connects to sensors that send data back to the virtual model in real time. Its accuracy is unmatched.
This setup can help you monitor and analyze everything continuously through cloud-based platforms. You may be wondering about the possible outcome. We are happy to address this question: it will result in a virtual model that reflects the real-world asset in appearance and behavior.
Companies in advanced industries are at the forefront of adopting digital-twin technology. Nearly 75% of industries have already implemented digital twins with moderate complexity. This includes businesses across sectors like:
- Automotive;
- Aerospace;
- Defense;
- Technology;
- Retail;
- Consumer goods.
Meanwhile, infrastructure, logistics, and energy industries are more likely to be in the early stages of developing their first models.
What Are the Benefits of This Technology?
Organizations are benefiting from the tech in the following ways:
- Cost savings and risk management – Organizations that leverage this innovation save money and manage risks because they can test products virtually instead of using physical prototypes. This approach lowers costs and reduces the dangers involved in developing new products;
- Improved R&D efficiency – Research and development are more effective with the implementation of this tech. The innovation provides a way to test products virtually. Companies can collect detailed information about a product’s performance and make needed changes before starting production;
- Production optimization – Companies can enhance manufacturing processes by tracking real-time operations using virtual versions of their products. It’s easier to find problems quickly and adjust;
- Sustainable end-of-life management – Virtual models assist manufacturers in figuring out the best ways to recycle or reuse materials that have reached the end of their useful life;
- High-quality production – The technology enhances product quality by allowing companies to find and fix defects early in production. Every final product meets quality standards and decreases customer complaints.
The Future Is Promising
For sure, the digital twin technology has made a remarkable impact across different sectors. This powerful tool drives innovation, boosts manufacturing efficiency, makes cities smarter, and transforms healthcare. This innovative model will become even more critical as technology advances, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the real world through their digital counterparts.
