DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGY. Literature & Language Essay. (Essay Sample)

Digital Twin Technology
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Introduction
A digital twin is a digital software that has been used in the representations of processes and assets that are used to optimise, predict and understand performance so that it can achieve the desired business outcomes. The software contains three components namely: the data model, algorithms or a set of analytics and knowledge. The technology that was used to come up with this product has expanded to include large objects such as buildings, industries, town and cities. In some instances, there has been a suggestion that both people and processes can have digital twins, which makes the technology even to be advanced further. In this paper, I will discuss the current situation, anticipated future developments, value, and sustainability, ethical implication and risks that revolve around the digital twin technology since its introduction to the business world.
In 2017, Gartner named the digital twins among the top 10 strategic technology trends. He further continued to say that in the next three to five years, billions of items will be represented using digital twins, which is a dynamic software model of physical things or systems. In 2018, Gartner once again said that digital twin was a top trend. He stated that it estimated that 21 billion connected sensors and endpoints by 2020, the software will exist to represent billions of items. In real sense, digital twin can be termed as a computer program that takes real-world data about a system or physical object as inputs and produces as outputs prediction or simulations of how that system or physical objects will be affected by the outputs ("Digital Twin Explained – The Next Thing After IoT," 2019).
Current Situation
The digital twin concept is not a new technology in the world market. However, just like many objects in industry 4.0, digital twin technology has emerged as one of the frequently used technologies in industries. The increased usage of a digital twin can be associated with the convergence of technology that has enabled its existence. With the help of the cloud, the vast number of computers, advanced simulations, and the Internet of Things (IoT), a digital twin is, for sure, an emerging technology to watch out. The industry has invested heavily to keep abreast of its development ("Digital Twin Explained – The Next Thing After IoT," 2019).
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-life system. The software has been used to improve the existing processes where it has given people a virtual playground of vast things to experiment and try different approaches n the simulated environment that won’t impact the real product until direct action is taken. The digital twin software has been used in many areas, and the majority of business has gained a lot from technology. Below are some of the areas the digital twin technology has been used in CITATION CeA16 \l 1033 (CeArley, 2016).
The Digital Twin City
Cities have numerous moving interconnected components, and with a suitable advanced model, companies, government entities and civil engineers are more likely to test the new technology. Major cities such as Toronto, Paris, and Cambridge have actively developed the Digital Twin city model to accomplish that purpose (Fruhlinger, 2019).
All over the world, the smart cities concept is growing around the world. Sensors have already been installed to help in monitoring much data, such as the movement of traffic on the roads, power demand, and environmental pollution levels. In Singapore, the digital twin system is already working, and the dubbed Virtual Singapore is used in the predictions and calculations of flood levels, mosquito breeding conditions, noise pollution, and wireless coverage CITATION Tao18 \l 1033 (Tao F. C., 2018).
Digital Twin Technology has been used to replicate the entire cities down to individually simulated components, which is used to enable real-time-two-way communication. For instance, for analysing traffic as it builds up – with each vehicle, junction, and traffic simulated independently, the system helps in predicting where the traffic will build up. When paired with Machine Learning, the Digital Twin model cam easily test the possible solutions, and once it as a working solution to an upcoming issue, it can send these control signal systems back to the physical counterparts ("Digital Twin Explained – The Next Thing After IoT," 2019).
Retail
Retailing is a business that majorly dwells on data for it to be operational. From the product’s manufacturing cycle, to how it is strategically displayed in stores, the business needs the digital twin technology to flow smoothly. At the product level, the manufacturers use the Digital Twin models to track the product from its very inception through to in-store replacement (Fruhlinger, 2019). In this process, the manufacturer's analysis of the manufacturing processes, logistics, and supply chains behind the limelight.
Retail stores have also used the Digital Twin technology to replicate their store and to use sensors; they are in a position to track the buyers’ behavior. The information collected can be used in determining which products is selling most and the one that does not sell. For this reason, the Digital Twin helps the business to monitor which products need replacement. Also, changes and layout in the business can be tested and suggested digitally using this technology (Kadiyala, 2017).