What are digital twins?

Digital twins (or digital twin) It consists of virtual copies of real world objects, systems or processesLike turbines, buildings and even all factories. Digital twins based on sensors captured by artificial intelligence, large data and machine education offer a detailed and dynamic appearance of their physical counterparts.

It is like a “digital clone ol that can be analyzed, tested and optimized without a direct effect on the original object. The innovation presented by digital twins led its use globally in a short time.

Between 2020 and 2022, The sector has grown 71% impressiveAccording to the “Digital Twin Market Report 2023-2027” report from IoT Analytics. Increasing the adoption of this technology in sectors is due to more efficiency, resource saving and innovative solutions to complex problems.

Continue reading and discover countless possibilities that digital twins can offer!

What are digital twins?

Digital twins are digital representations developed to correctly reflect the functioning of objects, systems or physical processes.

Models are part of the data obtained by sophisticated sensors and algorithms, which simulations In real time, capturing the performance and interaction of physical versions.

The origin of this concept dates back to the 1990s, when David Gelerter designed software to use to reproduce and test situations from the physical world in the Mirror Worlds book.

However, until 2002, researchers Michael Grieves and John Vickers, “Digital Twin: Unqualified in complex systems, undesirable emergency behaviors,” the idea of ​​the idea of ​​the article officialized.

Today, digital twins are widely used to predict failures, increase productivity and create innovative solutions in different industries.

How does Digital Twins Technology work?

Digital Gemini technology works by combining data, sensors and digital models to create a dynamic virtual copy of an object, process or system in the real world.

Virtual model Not a static representation, but a “living” asset– Real Time Updated It is based on information collected by affiliated devices and processed by advanced technologies.

The starting point for building a digital twin is a geographical system of geographical information (CBS) that usually organizes and sees and creates a structured basis.

Sensors and cameras installed in the physical object constantly collect information with the Internet of Objects (IoT). They get performance variations from environmental conditions by transferring data to a software platform where digital twins are fed.

Integration with artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial Intelligence (IA) and Machine Learning (ML) Process a large amount of data collected. These systems:

• Recognize the recurrent behaviors in the follow -up object;
• To predict care needs and predict the problems before they occur;
• It recommends performance improvements to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

For example, in a wind turbine, digital twin can predict when care will be necessary or how to adjust the operation to produce more energy with less wear and wear.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Digital Gemini and Simulation

Although digital twins and simulations share the use of virtual models, their applications are very different!

Simulations are mainly used to test the hypothetical scenarios before implementation or to verify projects. They do not interact with the real world in real time.

When we refer to digital twins, We are talking about a process that synchronized with the physical object – Getting continuous updates and allowing instant transactions based on real data.

They can adjust processes, predict events and even optimize operations without the need for human intervention.

In addition, digital twins are designed to work on a scale. They can monitor small components to all systems such as factories or cities.

What are the benefits of digital twins?

The benefits of the use of digital twins are varied and attracts the attention of companies that try to innovate, increase productivity and reduce costs. Understand the main advantages:

1) Operational productivity

According to the 2024 Capgem report, companies that adopt digital twins are made of 15% progress in operational and sales metrics and an increase in system performance up to 25%.

In addition, digital twins help to increase sustainability by 16%, permits Processes are more efficient and less effective for the environment To help identify bottlenecks and optimize developed analysis -based operations.

2) Innovation in product development

The use of digital twins accelerates the formation of product by allowing large -scale simulations. For example, according to Senai’s executive innovation and technology manager Marcelo Prim (through Exame), 800 simulation can be performed on a single day and may provide information about the most efficient design before applying it to the factory base.

This not only saves time, but also allows faster and more effective versions by reducing costs associated with physical tests.

3) Flexibility and scalability

With digital twins, companies can easily adapt operations and systems and quickly adapt to market changes.

They offer the possibility of creating virtual process versions and customizing more in customer service to meet certain demands.

4) Remote monitoring

The virtual nature of technology provides remote monitoring of facilities and equipment, Reduce the need for face -face -face visitsEspecially in dangerous places or difficult to access.

Therefore, the good use of digital twins can increase workers’ safety and also improve control over operations in different places.

5) Data -based decision making

Digital twins provide accurate and real -time information for more ambitious decision -making.

By allowing us to estimate events, optimize processes, and adjust the production parameters, they cause decisions based on concrete evidence that reduces the risk and maximizes the results.

6) Cost and time reduction

Digital twins help to avoid malfunctions that can produce high costs by predicting problems and simulating scenarios.

A practical example, applying this technology in a soap factory in Brazil and 2.8 million dollars of savings were obtained– In addition to increasing productivity up to 3%. This was possible thanks to the optimization of production parameters such as temperature and energy consumption.

What are the current digital twins?

Digital twins can be classified according to the detail level and the scale of the virtual model they represent. Each species has certain applications. Check out below.

1) Component twins

Component twins Digital reproduce a single part of a larger system. For example, an electric car digital twin can monitor its temperature, vibration and real time performance.

Thus, any problems such as overheating can be detected before causing faults.

2) Asset twins

Asset covers twins Two or more components working together in a system. In case of a wind turbine, it will include active twin motor, shovels and generator.

Analyzes how these components interact, Helps optimize energy production and determine integration problemsLike the wrong alignment of shovels.

3) System twins

The system shows how different assets work together in a larger system. For example, consider an electrical power plant!

A system can model the interaction between twins, several wind turbines, transmission lines and power storage systems. Such a wide view allows you to consider the work of the entire plant as changes in the turbine effect.

4) Gemini Processing

Process twins provide a complete appearance of the digital environment, covering together components, assets and systems. Now our sample will be a automobile factory.

A process twin can recognize all the production line, bottlenecks, foresee delays and optimize efficiency throughout the operation.

In which sectors this technology is used?

The versatility of digital twins is widely adopted in various sectors, transforms operations and brings innovative solutions. Let’s look at some examples of application!

Smart Cities

With virtual transportation networks, energy systems and waste management models, it is possible to optimize urban mobility, reduce costs and promote sustainability.

For example, it can be a digital model Simulate the effect of a new subway line Before constructionTo foresee and optimize the project.

Health and Welfare

In the field of health, digital twins allow you to create personalized models of the human body that helps treats and surgeries. Simulations can even predict the effects of a cardiac implant Even before applying to the patient!

Product Development

Companies that produce physical goods use digital twins to accelerate the product development cycle. A practical example is the use of technology Almost test vehicle prototypesDetermination of design failures and adjustment processes before starting production.

Smart production

In the industry, digital twins follow production lines and equipment. A factory can simulate production adjustments to assess performance effects without interrupting real operations, reduces the duration of inactivity.

Delicate agriculture

Digital twins help in the agricultural sector Optimize resource usage and increase productivity. Sensors uploaded to agricultural areas provide real time data analyzed in virtual models.

Therefore, it is possible to adjust the irrigation, apply fertilizers efficiently and estimate more accurately.

Goods transportation

Emphasis is the port of Rotterdam using digital twins integrated with Geographical Information Systems (CBS). Update a virtual model to monitor the weather conditions, reduce faults and reduce the waiting time of ships along the scaffolding – update a virtual model – In addition to having less environmental impact.

Sensors participate in IoT, IA and interactive views, and digital twins turn data into projects that can revolutionize all sectors with their practical and innovative approaches.

In addition, the impact of technologies such as digital twins on the workplace cannot be ignored. Did you imagine a future in which virtual spaces simulate real offices, the business is widely digital?

Keep a look at Tecmundo and find out how this possibility is realized. Until next time!