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Blog | 23 September 2024

Digital Twin Technology

Digital twin technology is the technology of creating a virtual version of a real object. This digital model is more than a picture, the digital twin is a virtual representation that can show you what happens if you change the color, make amendments, enlarge the object or adjust it in another way or form.

Digital twin technology is fascinating because it creates a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. At its core, it involves creating virtual representations of physical objects or systems. These digital copies are dynamic and interactive. They give us real-time insights and analytics based on data collected from their real-world counterparts.

How do digital twins work?

Let's take data collection for example. Sensors are attached to a physical object or integrated within a system. These sensors collect data continuously. They're able to capture performance metrics, environmental conditions and more. This data is then used to construct a virtual representation of the object or system. This model is designed to mirror the real-world state as closely as possible.

With the model created, simulations can be run to predict future behavior, test responses to different scenarios, or optimize performance. This is where the digital twin becomes a powerful tool for decision-making and innovation.

The insights gained from the digital twin are fed back into the real-world operation to improve efficiency, solve problems, or even innovate new solutions.

Digital twinning is used for all sorts of real-world objects

Cities use digital twins to improve their infrastructure, companies use digital twins to see how they can improve their supply chain and hospitals use it to figure out better ways to treat patients. Digital twinning makes it easier to understand and improve things without risking the real thing. The cool part about digital twin technology is that it uses historical data to make sure the virtual representations are as real as possible. This helps people see how things might work in the future.

There are many types of digital twins. Some are simple, just showing one physical object like a traffic light or a car. Others are complex, showing how entire factories or cities work. Each type helps in different ways, depending on what you need.

Creating a digital twin prototype

This is the first step to testing out new ideas. A trial run for new inventions or improvements. This is part of a bigger idea called digital transformation, which is all about using digital tools to make things better. The digital twin concept can get really detailed and complex, but it all boils down to this: using computers to make a safe space where we can test and plan things that make our real world better, safer, and more efficient.

Using the digital model

Digital twin technology can be used for a car, a plane, or even a whole city. Since 2002, when the idea of digital twins started, it’s helped people make better decisions in industries like making cars and planes. Companies also use digital twins to figure out how to move things around smarter and faster in their supply chain. This helps make sure products get made and delivered on time.

How digital twins work? Digital twins collect operational data and sensor data from real objects, like engines or buildings. This data tells the digital twin everything that’s happening with the real object in real-time. Then, people can try out different ideas on the digital version before they make any changes in the real world.

There are even digitial twins of entire countries

Made by Cyclomedia, you can check out roads, buildings, traffic assets and more without stepping outside. It’s a great tool for planning things like new roads or big events. The process of developing digital twins involves a lot of smart tech. There are all kinds of digital twins. System twins for big objects, unit twins for smaller parts, and even virtual twins which are for experimenting with new ideas.

All these digital twins are linked together in what we call a digital thread. This helps everyone see how changes in one part affect everything else. It’s a key part of digital transformation. Making everything work better with the help of digital twin technology. Digital twins help people make smarter decisions, save money, and fix problems before they even happen.

Cyclomedia's digital models

With the addition of the 3D digital twins to Cyclomedia's existing products and datasets, you now have an even clearer view of the outside world from a digital environment. This tool make it easier to visualize and simulate plans, showing them to business partners, investors, and citizens to inform them and gain their support. The applications of our digital twin types are truly limitless.

Digital twins have become a key tool in planning and simulation. With our artificial intelligence asset twins, you can create a digital representation of any location, combining it with other geographical data to perform detailed GIS analysis. Get ready to interact with it in a virtual model that reflects its actual physical object counterpart.

How we use machine learning for our digital twins

Using machine learning, we can run various simulations that are incredibly useful for urban planning and event management. Think of climate stress tests. Identify potential vulnerabilities in an area for various climate issues such as flooding, heatwaves, droughts, and potential flooding. This helps cities plan better for the future, understanding where and how they are at risk.

We also use machine learning for sun and shadow analyses. You're able to simulate the position of the sun on any given day of the year. This is perfect for architects and city planners to analyze solar capacity for energy projects or to design high-rise buildings considering the impact of shadows on the surrounding area.

And how about physical objects, for predictive capabilities? Simulate busy events to gather crowd control data and address potential bottlenecks that could occur during large-scale events. A pedestrian analysis helps in planning safer, more efficient routes and spaces for public gatherings.

Real time data with our asset twins

The data from our digital twin tools can be downloaded and exported to other applications. This way you can enhance its versatility and usability in different contexts. Digital twin models and system twins are a revolutionary way to plan and experiment within a risk-free, digital space. Each digital twin instance acts as a perfect mimic of its physical counterpart, allowing for real-time adjustments and improvements based on real time data.

Looking for solutions for a small community project or a large urban development, digital twins provide a dynamic and effective way to project outcomes, plan interventions, and communicate ideas visually and effectively. By bridging the gap between the physical counterparts and their virtual twins, digital technology is reshaping how we interact with and manage our physical world, making it safer, more efficient, and adaptable to our needs.

 

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The benefits of digital twins in construction

Digital twins are revolutionizing the way we think about construction and urban development. With digital twin technology, like 3DNL, it's now possible to effortlessly visualize new buildings within their existing environments. This capability engages citizens and stakeholders in the planning process and helps inventory public space objects.

With the artificial intelligence characteristics of a system twin, physical twin or other virtual models, you will be able to show how a neighborhood will look after a new project is completed. Digital twins allow for such visualizations. This makes it easier for everyone involved to understand and discuss the plans at informative meetings.

Digital representation analysis

One of the standout features of digital twins in urban planning is digital representation analysis. Count on detailed line-of-sight studies from any desired position within a community. Want to know how a new building will affect views from existing homes or how it might block sunlight? Digital twins make this assessment quick and accurate as they present the information in three-dimensional context.

Visualizing new projects is just one aspect of what digital twins are able to achieve. Digital twins facilitate the integration and synchronization of data and workflows, streamlining processes across teams. At Cyclomedia, we have built a comprehensive digital twin solution that covers every aspect of the digital twin integration cycle. Our goal is to support diverse organizations and teams in developing and enhancing their digital twins, for seamless implementation into any operational structure.

Physical objects on a physical location... digitally!

In the construction sector, digital twins provide project teams with immediate access to operational data in real-time. This speeds up collaboration among stakeholders, boosts productivity and streamlines workflows between contractors and tradespeople, reducing information requests and issues.

Incorporating digital twins into the construction process addresses common industry challenges, such as low productivity and profitability, and helps in reducing the costs associated with virtual designs and construction. This affordability can be very beneficial in winning more tenders and executing projects under budget.

Digital twins are not limited to individual buildings or projects

These digital twin solutions extend to smart cities, where many digital twins work together to form a cohesive digital replica of extensive urban areas. This holistic view can improve everything from traffic management to emergency services deployment, making sure the digital twin concept is deployable at a macro scale.

For manufacturers, digital twins of the manufacturing process enhance the ability to monitor and adjust operations in real-time, guaranteeing product quality and efficiency. Each physical product can be matched with a virtual twin that mirrors every aspect of its lifecycle, from design through to end-of-life, providing invaluable insights into performance and maintenance needs.

Capturing, editing and collaborating with a digital twin

Digital twins are making the way we capture, edit, and collaborate on construction projects more accessible. With the help of cameras and sensors, digital twins can be created, to capture the essence of physical objects in digital form. This makes simple and precise visualizations possible, complete with measurements and customizable areas. Once a digital twin is created, it can be edited to refine its details and accuracy.

Saving costs with digital twin technology

Sharing a digital twin with external teams and offices reduces the need for in-person site visits, cutting down on travel expenses and enhancing the efficiency of project management. This aspect of digital twins streamlines operations and supports the sustainability goals of modern construction, engineering, and architecture by enabling global collaboration through accessible technology.

Automated progress checks are another important feature of digital twins. Documenting the advancement of a construction project is a big part of it and digital twins offer a remote, effective way for managers to keep track of progress. Contractors and building owners require solid documentation to ensure that construction adheres to standards and follows the design accurately. Utilizing digital twins for documentation also helps minimize errors throughout the construction process.

A smooth transition from the construction team to management team

Digital twins facilitate a smoother transition from the construction team to facility management at the project's conclusion. Detailed progress tracking through digital twins makes sure that every phase of the construction is recorded and accessible so that handovers and transitions more efficient and less prone to issues.

Digital twins also revolutionize the way assumptions and predictions are made. With less need for on-site visits, managers can make faster and more accurate estimates for subcontractors. Virtual to do lists can be created by adding annotations to the 3D model with notes, links, photos, and videos, which enhances clarity and communication across the team.

Remote monitoring with a digital twin

Remote inspections enabled by digital twins allow project managers to oversee safety procedures more effectively. Additionally, digital twins provide accurate and virtual measurements of areas that are either difficult to reach or hazardous. This reduces the need for workers to enter potentially dangerous situations. This protects the workforce and guarantees that the project adheres to safety regulations without compromise.

Digital twins supply a robust platform for capturing, editing, and collaborating in the construction industry. They improve accuracy in documentation, enhance safety, and facilitate global teamwork, driving the industry towards more efficient, safe, and sustainable building practices.

The future of digital twins

In the future, digital twins will change a lot more than just building projects. They’ll help in areas like healthcare, manufacturing, and planning cities. As technology gets better, digital twins will get smarter and more helpful, predicting problems before they happen and fixing things fast. This means our cities will run smoother and factories will work better. And as digital twins become easier to use, more people and smaller groups will start using them too. Pretty soon, digital twins will be a big part of how we make things better and safer everywhere.

Imagine a big car company in the automotive industry that makes thousands of cars every day. They could use a digital twin of their whole factory to see how everything is working in real time. This digital copy of the factory would show where machines are running slowly or where parts are getting stuck. If something goes wrong, like a machine breaking down, the digital twin can predict it before it even happens.

Digital twin consortium

Think of improving city planning, optimizing building designs, or enhancing manufacturing processes. It's possible with a digital twin! Digital twins offer a versatile and powerful tool that is reshaping how we interact with and manage our physical and digital worlds. The potential of types of digital twins spans from simple virtual twins of single units to complex networks modeling entire ecosystems, driving forward the agenda of digital transformation in nearly every sector imaginable.

Want to know more about our solutions? Be sure to contact us today, or take a look at our products.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Cyclomedia digital twin is a digital representation of the real world. We create this representation using advanced 360-degree panoramic imaging technology. As a result, users can virtually navigate through cities, streets and buildings. This is perfect for getting detailed information for urban planning, real estate development or infrastructure management, for example.

Cyclomedia's digital twin technology helps organizations get a virtual representation of a physical object, process or system. Gathering this data in real time through sensors and other sources, they can monitor, analyze and stimulate the physical equivalent. Cyclomedia's digital twin can help you identify problems, predict failures and optimize performance.

Using a digital twin from Cyclomedia will help you in design and development by testing prototypes and ideas. The usage supports you in efficiency improvements and cost savings. It also provides a safe environment for training your staff. This makes the digital twin a real asset for better decision-making and innovation within your organization.

At Cyclomedia, we know the importance of digital transformation. This is because digital transformation leads to the optimal improvement of products and services. The digital twin is a great example of this. Through the use of advanced technologies, we can collect accurate and detailed data about cities, streets and buildings. This allows us to provide valuable insights for urban planning, infrastructure management and real estate development, among other things. Digital transformation of this kind is needed for organizations to continue to grow.

Digital twin software is a versatile software that makes real-time monitoring, simulation, design, training and predictive maintance possible. Consequently, organizations can improve their processes, cut costs and promote innovation. This is done through data-driven decision making and advanced analytics. A virtual twin is ideal for fault prediction to performance optimization. The wide range of applications allows organizations to become more efficient and better adapt to an ever-changing environment.

Cyclomedia's digital twin software is of interest to a variety of organizations. Some examples are: City planners and municipalities Digital twin software is a great fit for planning urban development, infrastructure projects and visualizing public spaces. Real estate developers Digital twin software is also important for real estate developers. Use it to explore building sites, design buildings and visualize real estate projects. Transportation and logistics companies Digital twin software is a handy tool for optimizing transportation routes, managing fleet performance and improving logistics operations. Educational and research institutions Digital twin software is often used by educational and research institutions for conducting experiments, training students in complex processes and systems, and simulations. Industrial companies A digital twin is particularly handy for analyzing, optimizing and monitoring production processes and equipment.