Demystifying Digital Twin

What is #DigitalTwin?

We hear this term very often these days. It is spoken about and presented by organizations, and individuals on various platforms. Sometimes they throw in #Metaverse and #AI along with it.

Let me try to demystify Digital Twin for you:

There are three stages of complexity in a traditional (OT) system.

? Level 1.] Modelling & Simulation

You create 3D renders, and with experimental and historical data, you analyze and visualize to evaluate and validate potential tests or hypothetical scenarios. All this without connecting your intelligent system with the production system.

?? Manageable cyber risk on the production system since you are disconnected. (IT, IoT, and OT networks are segregated)

? Level 2.] Monitoring

You capture real-time data and analyze that with experimental and historical data to monitor the system as-is for efficiency, conditions, and for potential scenarios. Now you have connected your intelligent system with the production data.

?? Increased cyber risk, as you are connected to the production system (mostly within IoT and OT network, and one direction to IT network).

? Level 3]. Controlling

You not only monitor but now also control the production system parameters using your intelligent system. You make live changes using predictive and prescriptive algorithms in real time.

?? Highest cyber risk, as you are now converging the IT, IoT, and OT networks.

?? Now the Digital Twin

You model, simulate, monitor, and control the production system in ONE virtual environment as you would do in the real world.

If you are operating a CNC machine on the shop floor an MRI machine in a hospital, or a train on the tracks.

In digital twin, you operate the system remotely, as a machine operator, a doctor, or a captain.

You remotely/virtually visualize, interact, and control the respective systems, and make changes as if in a real-time physical system. That would be a DigitalTwin.

Building a real digital twin is complex as it requires the integration of multiple technologies and systems.

There are various levels of complexities, depending on how many systems you are integrating from one system to systems of systems.

?? Next time someone presents you with a 3D render of a building, machine, or system and calls it a Digital Twin, you know what to ask.

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Digitalization, AdvancedManufacturing, #AIoT, #Cybersecurity, #AI, #IoT, #Transformation, #Strategy, #Skills, #Sustainability