Are you considering creating a digital twin? To demonstrate their benefits, we’ve compiled examples of use-cases from various industries: automotive, retail, construction, hospitality and gaming. Plus, read to the end to discover two additional and perhaps more unusual applications.

 

Digital twins have many benefits for businesses

There are multiple reasons why a business might choose to employ a digital twin. Some of the key drivers behind implementation were revealed in a 2022 report from Capgemini Research Institute.

Capgemini asked to what extent organisations agreed that certain factors were the key drivers of their digital twin investments. The top three responses were:

  • Saving costs 79%
  • Technological advancement 77%
  • Reducing time to market 73%

Chart showing three drivers of digital twin investments: saving costs, technological advancement, reducing time to market

Source: Capgemini Research Institute*

10 use-cases to learn from

 

Automotive

Technological advancement: Tesla

Tesla creates a digital twin of every car it sells. It can then update the software based on data from each car. This data-driven process helps Tesla allocate resources more efficiently. Ultimately, customer satisfaction should increase because drivers get a better experience thanks to the optimisation of their vehicle.

Saving costs and time: BMW

BMW created a digital twin of its factory in Regensburg, Germany, to help it optimise production time and costs. For example, BMW can make changes like reconfiguring the production line without having to physically move huge machines. The manufacturer estimates it can cut the time used to plan factory operations by at least 25%.

BMW plans to complete digital scans of its vehicle plants worldwide by early 2023 as part of its digital twin plans.

It’s also been working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to make better use of data. They’ve created a data hub which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict demand for vehicles. This helps BMW order the right parts, as well as comply with and check new regulations.

 

Retail

Improving operational efficiency: Kroger

US-based retailer Kroger is working with tech company Nvidia to optimise the in-store experience and improve shipping logistics. Digital twins play a part in this project, replicating actual store layouts to enhance efficiency and processes.

Improving operational efficiency: Ocado Group

In the UK, Ocado Group uses digital twins at its customer fulfilment centres (CFCs). Each CFC has a twin, allowing Ocado to trial limitless changes from picking-station design to layout.

 

Construction

Improving sustainability efforts: Helical

Property developer Helical has a digital twin of its JJ Mack building near London’s Farringdon station. It acts as a benchmark for Helical’s other developments.

The building’s physical structure and all of its systems are modelled in the twin. This means systems can be controlled from a central computer, giving real-time visibility of all changes. Occupiers use an app to control a wide range of areas from building access to room bookings, light and heating.

 

Hospitality

Increasing employee safety: KLM

We’re seeing different applications of digital twin technology in the hospitality industry. The airline KLM has a digital twin for every type of aircraft in its fleet. It’s made employee training more efficient, for instance making it easier to familiarise cabin crew with different aircraft. Passengers can even use it to choose their seat.

Customer-centricity: Lindner Hotels & Resorts

Lindner Hotels & Resorts has used digital twins to improve customer engagement. Potential guests can wander through digital rooms to see if there’s enough space and check out the amenities. It’s enhanced engagement on the Lindner website, gaining 25% more clicks.

 

Betting and gaming industry

Reducing time to market: casinos and gaming businesses

Digital twins allow casinos or gaming providers to test games thoroughly before rolling them out to the public. The technology can detect flaws, analyse player habits and work out how much money the game will earn.

All this can happen in pre-production, saving time and money, and helping generate a better customer experience. It works for both online and offline gaming and betting businesses.

 

And finally…

Improving sustainability efforts: Singapore

A particularly bad series of floods in 2011 prompted Singapore to examine ways to tackle this ongoing problem. So in 2012, the island nation began a programme to represent itself digitally. However, initially the data collection took too long, meaning it rapidly became out of date. To solve this challenge, in 2019 Singapore turned to mapping and digital twin software.

The project’s scope has since expanded to include areas like national park tree mapping and planning solar energy rollouts. Singapore acknowledges the project remains very much at a development stage, and is excited about its possibilities.

Technological advancement: Tour de France

Global technology provider NTT has created a digital twin of the world’s most famous cycling race. The twin helps race organisers Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) monitor locations, spectator behaviour and live race data. It tracks riders, support and sponsor vehicles, and other assets through cities and villages, up and down steep mountain passes. The aim is to improve this complex event for everyone involved.

 

Get help with your digital twin development

Whatever industry you’re in, BusinessOptix can help you build a digital twin. This multifunctional process transformation platform helps you identify process problems, define goals, model scenarios and more.

As a BusinessOptix premier UK partner, we apply its diverse capabilities as part of a wider solution to deliver your business transformation. Contact us to find out how.

 

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About the Capgemini report

*Source: Digital twins: adding intelligence to the real world, Capgemini Research Institute, 2022.

In addition to the top three drivers, the others were: introducing new business models; customer-centricity; increasing sales; improving operational efficiency; simplifying workflows and process complexities for employees; increasing employee safety; improving sustainability efforts; improving reputation among employees and prospective employees.

Capgemini surveyed more than 1,000 organisations from around the world, in industries ranging from consumer products to energy and utilities. It focused on organisations with an ongoing digital twin programme (80% of sample), while the remainder planned to start a programme.