**London**: With the global datasphere projected to reach 163 zettabytes by 2025, digital twins are emerging as pivotal tools for organisations. Dr. Michael Grieves discusses their potential and maintenance challenges, highlighting applications across aeronautics, aviation, construction, and healthcare sectors.
The world continues to experience an exponential growth in data, with IDC predicting that the global datasphere will reach 163 zettabytes by 2025. A notable trend arising from this data proliferation is the rise of digital twins, virtual replicas that mirror various aspects of organizations, from supply chains to entire operational frameworks. This concept plays a pivotal role in harnessing the extensive amounts of unstructured data that comprise approximately 80-90% of all enterprise data.
In a recent episode of the Invisible Machines podcast, Dr. Michael Grieves, credited as the father of the digital twin concept and notable for his collaboration with NASA, elaborated on the implications of this transformative force. “Information serves primarily as a means to reduce physical exertion,” he stated, highlighting the practical functionality of data when contextualised appropriately. He further warned against the dangers of overemphasizing the fidelity of digital twins within AI contexts, which, he argues, may inadvertently obstruct organizations from realizing their full potential.
Understanding Digital Twins
Digital twins are not mere data aggregators; they are sophisticated virtual representations that integrate various facets of an organization. This includes everything from factory floor layouts to the architecture necessary for agentic automation. Unlike standalone applications, digital twins function within an interconnected system, bringing together data from IT infrastructures, IoT sensors, and personnel, both internal and external. This holistic framework is crucial for effective data aggregation and operational efficiency.
The creation of actionable insights from unstructured data, such as emails and recorded conversations, allows businesses to simulate numerous operational scenarios. The capacity to visualize these interactions facilitates better decision-making processes, ultimately helping organizations optimize efficiency and conserve resources.
Maintaining Digital Twins
The effectiveness of a digital twin is heavily predicated on its maintenance. As Dr. Grieves notes, an outdated digital twin quickly loses its relevance, limiting its value to the organization. The frequency and complexity of updates largely depend on the use case in question. For less dynamic systems, such as vehicle maintenance indicators, updates may be minimal. In contrast, rapidly changing sectors necessitate a more vigorous and ongoing maintenance schedule.
Applications of Digital Twins
Various industries are leveraging digital twins to drive innovation and enhance operations.
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In the aeronautics sector, NASA’s Earth System Digital Twins initiative integrates diverse models with constant data observations, allowing for real-time predictions concerning environmental phenomena. This capability is indispensable for assessing impacts associated with climate change and natural disasters.
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Rolls-Royce, within the aviation industry, employs digital twin technology to refine engine maintenance approaches. By creating precise virtual replicas of engines, the company can monitor performance in real time, predicting maintenance needs and mitigating aircraft downtime.
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The construction sector in Singapore has embraced the concept through the creation of “Virtual Singapore,” a comprehensive digital twin mapping the nation in 3D. This initiative aids in land use planning, flood risk evaluations, and infrastructure developments.
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In healthcare, Johns Hopkins scientists have constructed personalized digital twins of heart chambers, enhancing treatment precision for patients with atrial fibrillation. These simulations, grounded in MRI data, allow for targeted treatment strategies, reducing the need for trial-and-error approaches.
Dr. Grieves concludes that while organizations are currently navigating the initial, ad hoc phase of digital twin integration, the emphasis should be on manageable use cases that can provide actionable insights without overwhelming resources. The significance of starting small is central, as focusing on simpler implementations can build confidence and insight over time.
This exploration into digital twins opens numerous pathways for organizations aiming to revolutionise their supplier relationship management (SRM) practices by improving the analysis of unstructured supplier data and enhancing overall supplier interactions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
