Virtual representations of physical things.
WHAT A DIGITAL TWIN IS
A model of a physical asset, process or system, kept current with data from the real thing.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES IT FROM A SIMULATION
It is connected to the real asset and updated continuously.
WHAT IT PROVIDES
Monitoring current state Prediction of future state Testing changes before applying them Investigating why something happened
WHAT IT REQUIRES
Sensors on the physical asset A data path A model of sufficient fidelity Somewhere to run it
WHAT FIDELITY MEANS
How closely the model reflects reality.
WHAT DETERMINES HOW MUCH IS NEEDED
The question being asked.
WHY THAT MATTERS
Higher fidelity costs more and is frequently unnecessary.
WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Manufacturing equipment Buildings and facilities Power and water networks Vehicles and fleets Industrial processes
WHAT THE STRONGEST APPLICATION IS
Predicting failure before it occurs.
WHAT THAT SAVES
Unplanned downtime, which is far more expensive than planned maintenance.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Elaborate visualisations that answer no operational question.
