Digital Twin

NASA began using simulations of spacecraft systems to assist in operations and troubleshooting during the Apollo missions. This practice, later recognized as an early form of digital twin technology, laid the groundwork for virtual models of physical assets.

During the Apollo 13 mission, NASA used “mirror spaces” – virtual models to simulate spacecraft systems on Earth, aiding problem-solving and mission rescue. This approach was a precursor to modern digital twins.

With advances in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, industries began to digitally manage the lifecycle of physical products. PLM systems set the stage for using digital models to monitor and manage physical assets.

Dr. Michael Grieves, a researcher in product lifecycle management, coined the term “digital twin” as a framework for PLM, introducing the concept of a virtual representation of physical products for performance optimization.

With Industry 4.0, digital twins became central to advanced manufacturing, allowing companies to simulate, test, and optimize processes in real-time, resulting in improved productivity and reduced costs.

General Electric (GE) launched digital twins as part of its Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offerings, enabling companies to monitor and predict equipment behavior to reduce maintenance costs and downtime.