Digital twin
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or service, which replicates its real-world counterpart in detail. This technology is increasingly significant in various fields, including manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare, as it allows for the testing, monitoring, and prediction of behaviors of the physical entities it mirrors. The concept was first formally introduced in 2002 by researchers at the University of Michigan, although the foundational ideas had been in use for many years, notably by NASA for spacecraft monitoring and testing.
Digital twins can simulate the life cycle of products, enabling engineers to identify potential issues and implement solutions without the risks associated with physical testing. For example, they can be used to evaluate a vehicle's systems or the mechanical operations of a building, providing insights before actual production or implementation. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also reduces costs by minimizing errors during the manufacturing process. Additionally, connected digital twins gather real-time data from their physical counterparts, allowing for ongoing monitoring and troubleshooting. Overall, digital twin technology represents a transformative tool for innovation and operational excellence across diverse industries.
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Subject Terms
Digital twin
A digital twin is a computerized virtual representation of a physical object, system, or service. It is used to test, monitor, repair, and predict the future behavior of the physical object it duplicates. Digital twins can also be connected to a physical object to help technicians collect real-time data generated by the physical object. The concept has existed since the early days of computers but is becoming increasingly important in the twenty-first century as more sophisticated computers are developed.
Overview
The earliest formal introduction of the concept of creating a virtual representation of a physical system occurred in 2002. University of Michigan researchers proposed creating a computerized mirror image of the actual life cycle of a manufactured product. Their proposal was aimed at helping manufacturers create products in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.
However, people had experimented with the idea for decades before the university’s presentation. Engineers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) applied principles of the digital twin idea to testing and monitoring spacecraft from the agency’s earliest days. Computers on Earth that were programmed like those on space vehicles were often used to test different scenarios; tests like this were essential to saving the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts after an onboard explosion damaged numerous systems while the men were thousands of miles from Earth in 1970.
Digital twins are detailed and exact virtual replicas of a system, item, or process that exists in the real world. For example, companies can create a virtual computerized representation of a car, the mechanical systems of a building, or the delivery process for pizzas. Theoretically, these replicas function exactly like the real-world object or system. They can be used in several different ways. They provide cost-effective ways to test how their real-world counterparts function. They can also be used to monitor the products for problems and to test updates or repairs before they are completed on the real-world versions. This allows engineers and technicians to predict problems, identify solutions and improvements, and test scenarios without any unintended real-world consequences.
For example, technicians can create a digital twin of a new product to test its function and practicality before the actual item is manufactured. This allows them to identify potential problems and find ways to improve the product while it is still in the design phase, without actually creating a physical item. This reduces costly errors in production.
Similar tests can also be done to test how changes or improvements might affect an existing real-world item or to see how it might respond to a new situation. For example, experts can use digital twin technology to test how devices and electronic systems might respond to a sudden blast of solar radiation from a sun flare or to test a car to see how its systems would respond in extreme heat or cold. This enables the engineers to prepare for these situations in advance.
Digital twins can also be created that are connected to their physical counterparts. These twins usually gather information and provide a way to monitor for potential problems. They can also be used to test potential solutions to challenges presented.
Bibliography
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