Digital Twin
A digital twin is a living digital model of a physical asset or process, kept in sync with the real thing through live data. It is used to monitor, diagnose, predict and test changes safely — not to be confused with a static 3D model or one-off simulation.
What makes a model a twin is the live data connection that keeps it current. Industrial twins range from descriptive (a connected, contextual view) through diagnostic and predictive to prescriptive. Most value is captured at the lower levels; the hard part is the data foundation, not the model. Common uses are operations decision support, performance monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Related terms
Anomaly Detection · Industry 4.0
Related guides
Software
Cognite Data Fusion
Industrial DataOps and digital-twin foundation.
GE Vernova Proficy
MES, historian and digital-twin tooling for manufacturing.
AVEVA Predictive Analytics
Early-warning analytics for critical process and power assets.