Digital twins: a new technology trend

The origin of digital twins

Digital twin can be seen as a bridge that connects physical and digital world. it represents the virtual model of a real product, process or service. The concept of digital twins was initially developed by NASA to help to repair spacecraft traveling outside the range of physical monitoring. “The ultimate vision for the digital twin is to create, test and build our equipment in a virtual environment.” John Vickers, NASA.

Digital twins nowadays

Today, smart components are everywhere. They are equipped with sensors that collect real-time data from real times contexts. Data are then sent to a cloud-based system that processes and analyzes all data the sensors monitor.

Low costs of the internet of things (IoT) technologies and networks which support them, have contributed to decreasing digital twins cost. Once digital twins are developed, they have the potential to save business money and employees time.

The impact of digital twins on business innovation

Digital twins are an intelligent and powerful technology to lead innovation and performance into companies. All indications seem to predict that we are on the point of a digital twin technology explosion.

Companies can learn from real-world extracted data and perform their own system to gain competitive advantages. For example, a digital twin tool can help to improve the customer experience by understanding and expecting their needs.

Digital twins need more data scientists

When an enterprise deploys a digital twin technology, there needs to be intent to not only gather information but to use it to perform specific business outcomes. Digital twin requires massive and continuous data collection and analysis. Software needs to be developed, frequently updated and maintained to manage and utilize that data. Companies will need to consider hiring more data architects and scientists to drive an effective business change.

By: Naouar belghini