A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or process that is connected to its real-world counterpart through data. It can reflect the physical asset’s condition, behavior, and operating environment, allowing organizations to observe and analyze how it performs without relying solely on the physical system.
For example, a manufacturer can create a digital twin of a production machine using data from sensors that measure temperature, vibration, speed, and energy consumption. Engineers can use the twin to monitor performance, simulate changes, identify potential failures, and optimize operations. Digital twins are used across manufacturing, aerospace, energy, healthcare, transportation, and smart infrastructure. Related concepts include IoT, device twins, simulation, predictive maintenance, real-time analytics, and digital engineering.
