Digital Twin: Generalization, characterization and implementation

Digital Twin is one of the promising digital technologies being developed at present to support digital transformation and decision making in multiple industries. While the concept of a Digital Twin is nearly 20 years old, it continues to evolve as it expands to new industries and use cases. This has resulted in a continually increasing variety of definitions that threatens to dilute the concept and lead to ineffective implementations of the technology. There is a need for a consolidated and generalized definition, with clearly established characteristics to distinguish what constitutes a Digital Twin and what does not. This paper reviews 46 Digital Twin definitions given in the literature over the past ten years to propose a generalized definition that encompasses the breadth of options available and provides a detailed characterization which includes criteria to distinguish the Digital Twin from other digital technologies. Next, a process and considerations for the implementation of Digital Twins is presented through a case study. Digital Twin future needs and opportunities are also outlined.

Automated summary

Digital Twin is a promising digital technology for supporting digital transformation and decision making in multiple industries. However, the variety of definitions calls for a consolidated definition and established characteristics to distinguish Digital Twin from other technologies.