Digital twin
What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle, is updated from real-time data and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help decision-making. Originally a concept for product development in the engineering world (e.g. jet engines), digital twins have been applied more widely over the last ten years (to the construction industry and the natural environment including environmental and geosciences).
For the interests of the OneGeology Digital Twin Group (ODTG), our focus is primarily with geospatial data hence a spatial digital twin. Spatial digital twins include a specific spatial context and provide a holistic dimensional and location-based representation of assets, infrastructure and systems (WGIC Spatial Digital Twin report, 2022-01 (opens in a new tab)). This refers to much more than the built/natural-environment and exist at various levels of accuracy, detail and aggregation. Spatial digital twins can be at site scale or for linear infrastructure (roads/rail), entire networks, cities, countries and even the globe.
What are we trying to do?
The ODTG aim is to collate evidence of spatial digital twin activities from around the globe and provide a platform whereby people can share their knowledge, their interest in the subject and take part in a community effort to shape the future of spatial digital twins and the use of these in geosciences.
Spatial Digital Twin catalogue
The OneGeology Spatial Digital Twin catalogue is a collation of case studies and technologies demonstrating or aspiring to the principles of a Digital Twin and have a spatial/geo-location element. This is an ongoing initiative and by no means a conclusive list. Suggestions are welcome.
Please contact us with any suggestions or for further information about the OneGeology Spatial Digital Twin and associated catalogue.
Location of digital twin activities
To access this data as a service use `https://ogc.bgs.ac.uk/cgi-bin/BGS_Digital_Twins/ows?` in your client; WMS and WFS are available.
Akila (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Akila
- Location
- China and Southeast Asia
Autodesk Tandem™ (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Autodesk
- Location
- United States headquarters (office locations worldwide)
ClimaTwin™ (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- ClimaTwin™
- Location
- Head Office - USA
Falcon (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Duality Robotics
- Location
- Head Office - San Mateo, USA
Eartheon CT & Eartheon AT (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Eartheon Spatial Technologies (P) Ltd
- Location
- Indian Institute of Technology
TwinWorX®: Digital Twins Solutions (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- e-Magic
- Location
- Head Office - Canada
Fugro - ROAMES®™ (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Fugro
- Location
- Head Office - Netherlands (other office locations worldwide)
Digital Twin Technology (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- GE Digital
- Location
- Head Office - San Ramon, USA (other offices located worldwide)
Readtty capture for Digital Twin (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Hexagon Geosystems
- Location
- Head Office - Sweden (other office locations worldwide)
Station IX™: A Digital Twin Creation, Integration and Interaction Platform (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Imagine 4D
- Location
- Head office - Montreal, Canada
Mapping the Urban Landscape (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- AAM, a Woolpert company
- Location
- Australia
NSW Spatial Digital Twin (SDT) (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- NSW Government, DCS Spatial Services & CSIRO's Data61
- Location
- New South Wales, Australia
OpenCities™ Planner powered by iTwin™ (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Bentley®
- Location
- United States headquarters (office locations worldwide)
VELOCITY 5D (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Presagis
- Location
- Head Office - Saint-Laurent, Canada (other office locations worldwide)
Qatium (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Qatium
- Location
- Head Office - Spain
Digital Twin Technology and RIEGL (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- RIEGL
- Location
- Head Office - Austria (other office locations worldwide)
Compass: Engine™ (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Slingshot Simulations
- Location
- Head Office - Leeds, UK
Smart City Solutions (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- AAM, a Woolpert company
- Location
- Australia
Road Asset Data Services (RoADS) (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Terra
- Location
- Head Office - South Africa. Also an office in India
Trimble MX50 Mobile Mapping System (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Trimble
- Location
- Head Office - USA (other office locations worldwide)
Voxelmaps Insight Platform (VIP) (opens in a new tab)
- Company
- Voxelmaps
- Location
- Head Office - USA (other office locations include UK, Portugal and Mexico)