What are digital twins?

The digital twin is a virtual representation of the physical product as it is designed, built, and maintained, along with real-time process data and analytics based on precise configurations of the physical product or production system. To optimize performance, this is, in essence, the operational context of the digital twin. A virtual model is conceptual, whereas real-time and operational data are digital representations of real-world events.

Organizations, institutions, and societies will gradually build ecosystems of digital twins based on their assets, processes, and systems as part of the ongoing digitization of physical environments. By harnessing these ecosystems, we’ll be able to create more effective solutions to today’s societal and environmental challenges.