Comprehensive Survey of the Landscape of Digital Twin Technologies and Their Diverse Applications

Abstract

The concept of the digital twin, also known colloquially as the DT, is a fundamental principle within Industry 4.0 framework. In recent years, the concept of digital siblings has generated considerable academic and practical interest. However, academia and industry have used a variety of interpretations, and the scientific literature lacks a unified and consistent definition of this term. The purpose of this study is to systematically examine the definitional landscape of the digital twin concept as outlined in scholarly literature, beginning with its origins in the aerospace domain and extending to its contemporary interpretations in the manufacturing industry. Notably, this investigation will focus on the research conducted on Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, elucidating the diverse applications of digital twins in fields including aerospace, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent transportation, and intelligent cities, among others.