Towards next generation digital twin in robotics: Trends, scopes, challenges, and future

With the advent of Industry 4.0, several cutting-edge technologies such as cyber-physical systems, digital twins, IoT, robots, big data, cloud computation have emerged. However, how these technologies are interconnected or fused for collaborative and increased functionality is what elevates 4.0 to a grand scale. Among these fusions, the digital twin (DT) in robotics is relatively new but has unrivaled possibilities. In order to move forward with DT-integrated robotics research, a complete evaluation of the literature and the creation of a framework are now required. Given the importance of this research, the paper seeks to explore the trends of DT incorporated robotics in both high and low research saturated robotic domains in order to discover the gap, rising and dying trends, potential scopes, challenges, and viable solutions. Finally, considering the findings, the study proposes a framework based on a hypothesis for the future paradigm of DT incorporated robotics.

Automated summary

With Industry 4.0, advanced technologies like cyber-physical systems, digital twins, IoT, robots, big data, and cloud computation have emerged. Digital twin in robotics is a relatively new fusion with unparalleled possibilities. To advance DT-incorporated robotics research, a comprehensive evaluation of the literature and framework creation is necessary. This study explores the trends, gaps, challenges, and potential solutions in DT-incorporated robotics in high and low research domains, proposing a framework for the future paradigm.