There is growing interest in technologies and concepts that connect the virtual world and the real world, such as digital twins, metaverses, and CPSs. What benefits do these technologies and their applications bring to the real world? In this article, we will explain how technologies that connect the virtual world and the real world, including digital twins, are being used.
Technologies and processes that connect the virtual and real worlds
In the past, what happened in the real world and what happened in the virtual world were separate events that did not intersect, like parallel worlds. However, with the development of digital technology, it is becoming possible to connect these two worlds.
IoT is essential for connecting the real world and the virtual world. IoT plays a role in opening a gateway to the virtual world by using sensors to collect data on all events that occur in the real world. Digital twins and the metaverse are representative examples of the fusion of the real world and the virtual world. Let's take a closer look at digital twins and the metaverse, and the CPS that is deeply involved in them.
What is a Digital Twin?
A digital twin is something that digitizes real-world objects and events and reproduces them in real time in a virtual world, or the technology behind it. Digital twins, which mean "digital twins," are exactly that: reproducing an exact replica in a digital world. The purpose is to ideally operate and manage real-world objects and events, such as factories, products, urban planning, and construction plans.
For example, if a production factory is reproduced as a digital twin, the production line in the real world is also reproduced exactly as it is. The operation of equipment and people, the storage and in/out of raw materials and products, and even the subsequent transportation to the market are constructed as digital twins, and the production systems surrounding these factories are operated on a computer. In this case, the product design, the operating status of the production line, the frequency of trouble occurrence, the storage and flow of products, the layout of the warehouse, and the status of transportation can be predicted and tested in advance with the digital twin.
If you only look at these parts, it may be difficult to see the difference from a simulator that performs simulations in a conventional virtual space. The major differences between simulations and digital twins are the breadth and accuracy of the time axis, and the scale of the expected range. Digital twins can be tested with models that are linked to real-world objects and operate, and are characterized by their high real-time nature. Also, unlike simulations that are created based on past examples, it is possible to see the current situation and even the future.
The range in which data changes in tandem is wide, and unlike typical simulations that examine one process, multiple processes change. This makes it possible to examine the range of impacts caused by changes.
This large scale of investigation has led to its use in a wide range of fields. It is also extremely useful in urban development and architectural design, as it can reduce the time required for work that would otherwise require multiple rounds of back and forth between multiple development processes to finalize the design. It is expected to be used in a variety of fields as a form of next-generation manufacturing and development process progression.
What is the Metaverse?
The metaverse is a virtual world or space built on the Internet. In the metaverse, experiences and communications that transcend the real world can take place, and economic activities can also be carried out. Users can move freely through avatars that represent themselves in a three-dimensional virtual space, interact with people, buy and sell goods and services, and enjoy a wide range of experiences.
What is CPS?
CPS is an acronym for Cyber-Physical System, and refers to a system or concept that connects the real world and the virtual world. This concept refers to the process of analyzing information collected from a physical system in the real world using computer technology in a virtual space (cyberspace). In this case, data obtained through a sensor system is used to convert from the physical system to cyberspace. This allows for quantitative analysis rather than subjective experience or intuition. CPS can be used in a variety of applications, such as replacing real-world events with the virtual world, and conversely, expressing virtual world events in the real world.
The differences between digital twins, metaverses, and CPS
Digital twins, metaverses, and CPSs each relate to the merging of the real and virtual worlds, but there are some differences between them:
- A digital twin is a real-time digital representation of a real-world object or technology.
- The metaverse is a virtual space or an application technology that uses that space.
- CPS is a process in which real-world events are analyzed in a virtual world and then used to benefit the real world.
In this way, digital twins are technologies and tools, the metaverse represents a space or domain, and CPS refers to a process. When considering digital twins from the perspective of digital twins, the metaverse is the space in which digital twins exist, and the CPS is the process of utilizing digital twins to feed back into the real world.
Technology behind digital twins
The following technologies are used in digital twins:
IoT
IoT (Internet of Things) is a technology that connects everything from electronic devices, industrial machinery, automobiles, and home appliances to the Internet and shares information. To build a highly accurate digital twin, a large amount of detailed data about real-world objects is required. IoT is one of the essential elements for realizing a digital twin that collects object data and continuously reflects that information in the virtual world.
AI
It is now more commonly called AI, but in the past it was more commonly called artificial intelligence. The greatest feature of AI is that it is an intelligence that not only accumulates knowledge but also has the ability to make judgments on its own. Making judgments was previously a task that only humans could perform, but with the practical application of AI, machines can now act on our behalf. Not only that, but it is now possible to make judgments and distinctions with high accuracy, such as analyzing large amounts of data at high speed and noticing things that humans cannot notice. In digital twins, things in the real world are precisely reproduced in the virtual world, and the results of the analysis are fed back to the real world. At this time, the presence of AI is essential for analysis.
Not only has the information processing ability of AI improved, but the amount of data acquired due to the spread of IoT has increased, so there are more opportunities for AI to self-learn. This has made it possible to obtain even more accurate analysis results. AI is an essential technology for digital twins, which require high-speed and accurate analysis.
5G
5G (5th generation mobile communication system) is a communication technology that can transmit and receive large volumes of data at high speeds with low latency. For digital twins, which require real-time data reflection in the virtual world, high speed and stability of data transmission and reception are important. In the future, the use of 5G is expected to increase more and more in digital twins.
VR, AR, MR
VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality) are also important technologies used for digital twins. By experiencing things in the real world in the virtual world, and expressing things in the virtual world in the real world, digital twins can be made to have a higher level of reality. These act as a sort of interface for experiencing digital twins.
Benefits of using digital twins
The following benefits can be expected from utilizing digital twins:
Improved safety
With a digital twin, you can use a model that replicates what exists in the real world to carry out tests that are impossible in the real world. You can also carry out tests involving dangerous actions or excessive loads, and determine the limits at which safety is guaranteed and the safety factor from those limits. You can also test the extent to which the aftermath of a mistake or accident will have an impact.
Shortening lead time and TTM
Developing new systems or products for systems or factories operating in the real world takes a lot of time. For example, in a factory, it is necessary to find time when the production line is stopped to carry out testing or prototype production. It is not uncommon to have to retest after each department or business partner has confirmed it. By using a digital twin, many types of tests can be performed immediately, accelerating the development process. This can shorten product lead times and TTM (time to market).
Trouble prediction and predictive maintenance
By analyzing an operating model using a digital twin, it is possible to determine signs of trouble before they occur, the cycle of deterioration of consumables, etc. By predicting trouble from the results of such analysis, it becomes possible to carry out predictive maintenance, such as replacing parts or repairing them in advance.
Quality Improvement
While operations continue in the real world, the digital twin makes it possible to try out different manufacturing processes and storage methods, leading to quality improvements.
Cost reduction
With a digital twin, you can test and simulate at any time, regardless of the operating conditions or production processes in the real world. This means there is no need to lose sales or hire large numbers of people. It also reduces costs in various processes by streamlining testing, development processes, and equipment maintenance.
Digital Twin Use Cases
Digital twins are actually being used in the following places and fields:
Using 3D city models to create smart cities
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has launched a project called "PLATEAU" that allows 3D city models of Japan to be used as digital twins. Not only can you walk around the city in virtual space, but you can also use it for urban development in virtual space. In fact, Shibuya has already started using it to create a smart city.
Recreating the construction site to optimize construction
Komatsu, famous for its heavy machinery, is currently developing a system to optimize construction work by using a digital twin of the construction site. Not only can the construction status be checked in real time, but it can also analyze future predictions and accident risk predictions, which will lead to increased construction safety. In addition, construction plans can be created from analysis using the digital twin, making it possible to significantly shorten lead times.
Factory that predicts abnormalities and prevents incidents
Daikin Industries, known for its air conditioners and industrial machinery, has begun operating digital twins in conjunction with its smart factories. In addition to control data from the production line, the digital twins also reflect data such as workers' biometric data, the temperature inside the factory, and CO2 concentrations. This helps predict abnormalities and prevent serious incidents.
For examples of digital twin use in the manufacturing industry, please also see " Why is digital twin attracting attention in the manufacturing industry? Introducing the background, benefits, and examples ."
Creating a new future with digital twins
By utilizing digital twins, it is possible to link events in the virtual world and the real world, which have been treated as separate entities until now, and to improve safety, quality, and efficiency in the real world. Processes that used to involve trial and error and feedback at the next step can now be tested in a digital virtual space and feedback can be provided directly. Digital twins are expected to be a technology that will create a new future by linking the virtual world with the real world.
