What are digital twins and what are they for

Digital twins are virtual copies of real processes or services on which to test to prevent errors and improve functionality

Industry 4.0 is based on some innovative technologies: Internet of Things, big data, machine learning and cloud computing. Although they have different names, these four technologies are linked and will enable companies to embrace the fourth digital revolution.

In particular, the Internet of Things will make it much easier to manufacture and many everyday objects. Thanks to sensors inside factories, it will be possible to collect real-time data on production and analyze what to change to improve the objects or services offered. And to do this it will be necessary to make digital twins. If you're thinking of a digital copy of humans, you're wrong: the term has risen to prominence especially with the development of Industry 4.0. The term digital twins refers to the virtual reproduction of a real process or service made through data collected by sensors.

The first examples of digital twins were made by NASA to predict the operation of its satellites, but they have become really important with Industry 4.0. So much so that Gartner, a company that specializes in business consulting, has listed digital twins as one of the top ten technology trends of 2017.

How Digital Twins Work

Based on digital twins is the Internet of Things and the ability to collect and process large amounts of data through sensors inside machines. As mentioned, digital twins are virtual copies of real services and products. These virtual copies are created to perform tests to improve functionality and prevent design errors. But that's not all. Digital twins are also very useful for creating products that faithfully reflect user requirements. In addition, digital twins make it possible to change the production chain much faster than in the past, saving at least 50% of time and increasing production by 20%. In short, for companies, investing in digital twins pays off, especially from an economic point of view.