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). 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.
For further information please email OneGeology (onegeology@bgs.ac.uk).
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.
Email OneGeology (onegeology@bgs.ac.uk) 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
- Company
- Akila
- Location
- China and Southeast Asia
Autodesk Tandem™
- Company
- Autodesk
- Location
- United States headquarters (office locations worldwide)
ClimaTwin™
- Company
- ClimaTwin™
- Location
- Head Office - USA
Falcon
- Company
- Duality Robotics
- Location
- Head Office - San Mateo, USA
Eartheon CT & Eartheon AT
- Company
- Eartheon Spatial Technologies (P) Ltd
- Location
- Indian Institute of Technology
TwinWorX®: Digital Twins Solutions
- Company
- e-Magic
- Location
- Head Office - Canada
Fugro - ROAMES®™
- Company
- Fugro
- Location
- Head Office - Netherlands (other office locations worldwide)
Digital Twin Technology
- Company
- GE Digital
- Location
- Head Office - San Ramon, USA (other offices located worldwide)
Readtty capture for Digital Twin
- Company
- Hexagon Geosystems
- Location
- Head Office - Sweden (other office locations worldwide)
Station IX™: A Digital Twin Creation, Integration and Interaction Platform
- Company
- Imagine 4D
- Location
- Head office - Montreal, Canada
Mapping the Urban Landscape
- Company
- AAM, a Woolpert company
- Location
- Australia
NSW Spatial Digital Twin (SDT)
- Company
- NSW Government, DCS Spatial Services & CSIRO's Data61
- Location
- New South Wales, Australia
OpenCities™ Planner powered by iTwin™
- Company
- Bentley®
- Location
- United States headquarters (office locations worldwide)
VELOCITY 5D
- Company
- Presagis
- Location
- Head Office - Saint-Laurent, Canada (other office locations worldwide)
Qatium
- Company
- Qatium
- Location
- Head Office - Spain
Digital Twin Technology and RIEGL
- Company
- RIEGL
- Location
- Head Office - Austria (other office locations worldwide)
Compass: Engine™
- Company
- Slingshot Simulations
- Location
- Head Office - Leeds, UK
Smart City Solutions
- Company
- AAM, a Woolpert company
- Location
- Australia
Road Asset Data Services (RoADS)
- Company
- Terra
- Location
- Head Office - South Africa. Also an office in India
Trimble MX50 Mobile Mapping System
- Company
- Trimble
- Location
- Head Office - USA (other office locations worldwide)
Voxelmaps Insight Platform (VIP)
- Company
- Voxelmaps
- Location
- Head Office - USA (other office locations include UK, Portugal and Mexico)