From Traditional to Intelligent Digital Twins

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At last month’s Industrial IMMERSIVE Week, we heard from Dan Isaacs of the Digital Twin Consortium about how digital twins are not just transforming industry but also transforming in and of themselves. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of digital twin technology and highlighted real-world applications that are reshaping industries worldwide.

Isaacs presented a series of technology case studies, demonstrating the practical applications of digital twins across different industries. These case studies illustrated the versatility and potential of digital twins to optimize operations and drive innovation. Examples included:

  • A remote operations center for a wind farm

  • GE’s electric grid resiliency, reliability, and affordability

  • ExxonMobil using immersive tech for training, inspections, and more

  • Decimetrix methane detection, quantification, and remediation technology

These and other examples are in the Technology Showcase area of the Digital Twin Consortium’s website. 

One highlight of the session was the discussion on the evolution of digital twins from traditional to intelligent systems. Isaacs summarized research from Dr. Michael Grieves by outlining the transition toward generative digital twins, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence to enable autonomous decision-making and optimization.

One concept from Grieves’s research is front-running simulation (FRS), in which digital twins are able to operate faster than real-time, leveraging real-world data for predictive insights. The integration of AI and machine learning further enhances the intelligence of digital twins, enabling continuous optimization and improvement.

Isaacs said members of the Digital Twin Consortium are starting to push from traditional digital twins to intelligent digital twins and that the next stop is generative digital twins. As generative AI and ML advance, they will unlock new opportunities for growth and efficiency.

Watch this session and more with access to all of Industrial IMMERSIVE week on demand.