Digital twins are a virtual simulation of real-world objects. By using Internet of Things sensors that feed data from the physical object to computers, digital twins provide the exact same situation to study and test without the consequences of doing the test in the real world. The uses for the technology are nearly limitless.

1. Digital Twin Technology
7 Amazing Examples Of
In Practice

2. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
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IntroductionIntroduction
Wouldn't it be extraordinary to simulate plans or build what-if scenarios for the
products, facilities, and processes you wished to change before you actually
put real-world resources behind real-world implementation? That's the
promise of digital twins. And, many businesses and industries are taking
advantage of this promise as these 7 amazing examples of digital twin
technology illustrate.
7 Amazing Examples of Digital Twin Technology
In Practice

3. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
What is a Digital Twin?
As an exact digital replica of something in the physical world, digital twins are made possible
thanks to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that gather data from the physical world and send it
to machines to reconstruct. While the concept of a digital twin has been around since 2002
when Michael Grieves at the University of Michigan first used the terminology, it was IoT
technology that made it affordable and accessible to many more businesses. By creating a
digital twin, insights about how to improve operations, increase efficiency or discover an issue
are all possible before it happens to whatever it’s duplicating in the real world. The lessons
learned from the digital twin can then be applied to the original system with much less risk
and a lot more return on investment.
When you take a minute to consider all the ways this could be useful for businesses, it’s easy
to see how the potential for digital twin technology is just about limitless. That’s likely why
digital twin technology was included on Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for
2017 and 2018. Gartner predicted there would be 21 billion connected sensors by 2020,
making digital twins possible for billions of things.

4. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7 Amazing Examples of
Digital Twin Technology
Companies use digital twin technology for many reasons including to improve ongoing
operations, train employees and to test new products or procedures before launching them to
the real world where it becomes more expensive and complicated to fix any issues.
Oftentimes artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to analyze the model of
operations represented by the digital twin no matter where the real facility is located—even if
the equipment is in space. NASA used pairing technology, the precursor to digital twin
technology, from the earliest days of space exploration to solve the issue of operating,
maintaining and repairing systems when you aren’t near them physically. This was precisely
how engineers and astronauts on Earth determined how to rescue the Apollo 13 mission.
Today, digital twins are used at NASA to explore next-generation vehicles and aircraft.

5. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7 Amazing Examples of
Digital Twin Technology
Digital twin technology can help personnel get comfortable with Internet of Things
implementation and automation because they have the opportunity to simulate the
application prior to it going live. The lessons learned and opportunities uncovered through a
digital twin can then be applied to the physical environment.
Since digital twins can give a real-time view of what’s happening with equipment or other
physical assets, they have been very helpful in manufacturing to reduce maintenance issues
and ensure optimal production output. Chevron expects to save millions of dollars in
maintenance costs from the digital twin technology they will have deployed on equipment by
2024 in oil fields and refineries.
Similar to the benefits in manufacturing, digital twins can revolutionize healthcare operations
as well as patient care. A digital twin of a patient or organs allows surgeons and health
professionals to practice procedures in a simulated environment rather than on a real patient.
Sensors the size of bandages can monitor patients and produce digital models that can be
monitored by AI and used to improve care.

6. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7 Amazing Examples of
Digital Twin Technology
At the Spring Festival Gala aired on China Central Television, the four human hosts were
joined by an AI copy of themselves—their very own digital twin created by ObEN. They are
more than computer-generated avatars because they used machine learning, natural
language processing, and computer vision to build virtual copies of the hosts. Future
applications for this technology include plans to build AI-powered teachers, nurses, and
doctors.
Digital twin technology has even been deployed to refine Formula 1 car racing. In a sport
where every second counts, a simulation can help the driver and the car team know what
adjustments can improve performance.
There is even a digital twin of Singapore! Imagine all the variables that go into the
management of a city. Digital twin technology helps city planners understand and improve
the efficiency of energy consumption as well as many applications that can improve life for its
citizens.

7. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7 Amazing Examples of
Digital Twin Technology
Where else do you think a virtual replication of a physical object would come in handy? From
wind farms to modernizing farming and testing smartphones to improving services, there is
really no limit to how digital twins technology can positively impact our world.

8. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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