The bridge that every company needs between the digital and physical world: The Digital Twin

4

October

2020

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The digital twin technology has been around since 2002 when Michael Grieves first introduced the concept at the University of Michigan (Marr, 2019). Although the digital twin has been around for a while, the technology just recently started to gain momentum. This is due to the availability of more data, better data analysis management, an increased usage of Internet of Things sensors and improved digital tools and infrastructure (Mussomeli, Parrott, Umbenhauer & Warshaw, 2020). These developments have contributed to the lower costs and higher accessibility of the digital twin (Marr, 2019). The digital twin technology is now classified as high potential and one of the biggest technological trends for the upcoming years by Deloitte, Forbes and many more trend spotters (Marr, 2019; Panetta, 2019; Mussomeli et al., 2020).

But what is a digital twin exactly?
A digital twin is the virtual representation of a physical product. Both versions are identical (Essentra plc, 2020). Sensors are attached to the real-life product which send their measured data to the digital twin technology. The digital twin then analyses and processes this data in order to improve, optimize and maintain the physical product (Marr, 2017). In addition, the digital twin can be used to perform simulations and experiments (Essentra plc, 2020). Furthermore, the digital twin can detect and prevent errors, guide companies in decision making processes by offering more accurate predictions and discover unique customer needs. The digital twin technology can fill the gap between the digital and physical world (Mussomeli et al., 2020).

The digital twin was first mostly applied in the manufacturing industry, such as cars and airplanes, but is now increasingly used on a more broadened scale (Mussomeli et al., 2020). The energy sector uses the technology to better understand the energy consumption of different consumers, smart cities apply the digital twin to manage and analyze different variables that affect the daily life of citizens, for instance traffic congestions, and the healthcare industry implements the digital twin technology to create a simulated environment in which surgeons can practice multiple procedures and to monitor the data of patients to improve the care that they receive (Marr, 2019).

The benefits
The reason why the digital twin is now becoming increasingly more popular is that the technology provides multiple benefits. The digital twin can discover and better understand customer needs. This could contribute to the improvement of customer experiences, the development of new products and enhancements of existing products to meet the preferences of the consumers (Marr, 2017). The implementation of the digital twin technology will also allow companies to test out new products, methods or applications before they are actually launched in the physical world (Marr, 2019). Because of this, errors and potential problems can be detected before they are applied in the real world which could save costs and resolve problems more quickly (Iberdrola, n.d.). Furthermore, employees can be trained in the simulated environment that the digital twin creates, so that they can work more efficiently and are better prepared for multiple, diverse scenarios that could occur (Marr, 2019). Lastly, this technology will make more accurate predictions which could prevent companies from making costly mistakes. All of these benefits will lead to the optimization of multiple business processes (Mussomeli et al., 2020).

Future prospect
The rise of machine learning, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence could support the use of the digital twin and further enhance its benefits. As the technology is emerging, more and more companies, ranging from industry pioneers to smaller players, will implement digital twins to optimize multiple business processes (Mussomeli et al., 2020). It is therefore, in my opinion, not the question if the digital twin technology will be adopted by the majority of the mainstream markets, but when. The opportunities and benefits that this technology provides are endless and can be applied in every industry, the cost/benefits balance is becoming more even and the digital environment that is needed to let the applications of the digital twin thrive is evolving into the new standard for most markets (Marr, 2017). The potential of this technology is, in my opinion, therefore proven and I think that the digital twin is what every company will need to bridge the physical and digital and cope with the fast-changing developments in todays’ world.

 

 

 

References
Mussomeli, A., Parrott, A., Umbenhauer, B. & Warshaw, L. (2020, January). Digital twins: bridging the physical and digital. Retrieved from:
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/tech-trends/2020/digital-twin-applications-bridging-the-physical-and-digital.html

Essentra plc. (2020). De digital twin – wat is het en hoe werkt het? Retrieved from:
https://www.essentracomponents.com/nl-nl/news/productbronnen/de-digital-twin-wat-is-het-en-hoe-werkt-het

Iberdrola. (n.d.). Digital twins, the keys to the fourth industrial revolution. Retrieved from:
https://www.iberdrola.com/innovation/digital-twin

Marr, B. (2019, April). 7 amazing examples of digital twin technology in practice. Retrieved from:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/04/23/7-amazing-examples-of-digital-twin-technology-in-practice/#3862f4446443

Marr, B. (2017, March). What is digital twin technology – And why is it so important? Retrieved from:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2017/03/06/what-is-digital-twin-technology-and-why-is-it-so-important/#7e7e63fb2e2a

Mussomeli, A., Parrott, A., Umbenhauer, B. & Warshaw, L. (2020, January). Digital twins: bridging the physical and digital. Retrieved from:
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/tech-trends/2020/digital-twin-applications-bridging-the-physical-and-digital.html

Panetta, K. (2019, October). Gartner top 10 strategic technology trends for 2020. Retrieved from:
https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2020

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Will surgical robots replace human doctors?

20

September

2020

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Surgical robots are emerging. They can be used for multiple purposes within the healthcare sector but are currently mainly focused on supporting medics with their tasks. Undergoing surgery by just a robot doctor still seems like something from a science fiction movie but it might happen sooner than we think.

The current situation
One of the most popular surgical robots that comes closest to independently performing surgery at the moment, was already developed 20 years ago. The da Vinci Surgical System executes medical procedures but is still being controlled by a surgeon via a console. The system provides the surgeon with a 3D view of the surgical area and moves like a human arm but it can make more movements from different angles than an actual human. The da Vinci robot is used for approximately 200.000 surgeries worldwide per year and it doesn’t stop here (Intuitive surgical, 2020).

Advantages
More and more surgical robots are being developed because they provide a lot of advantages. They work more precisely, efficiently and stable than human doctors which results in less mistakes, improved patient care and a shorter recovery time (Williams, 2018). The overall efficiency of a hospital will increase as well due to the ability of surgical robots to work continually without needing a break and they can guide or replace doctors during difficult surgeries that they normally would not have been able to perform themselves (Camarillo, Krummel, Salisbury, 2004).

Disadvantages
Nonetheless, the use of surgical robots also has its downsides. The costs of purchase and maintenance are extremely high (Kaul, 2018). Besides that, the robots, and the surgeons that control them, do not feel any resistance. It would therefore be possible for the surgical robot to accidentally cut through fatal body parts which could have injuries or even death as a consequence. The staff of the operating room and the surgeon that controls the robot need to be trained extensively to prevent these kinds of mistakes (Camarillo, Krummel, Salisbury, 2004). Lastly, most patients prefer a human to treat them since human doctors take into account the emotions and concerns of a patient (Mohammed, 2017).

Future prospect
Even though the current surgical robots are not able to operate indepently and therefore fully replace human doctors yet, many researchers are confident that they will in the future. A close collaboration with doctors, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning will contribute to improved, more cost-effective, smaller and smarter surgical robots. The arrival of these new, advanced robots will transform the whole healthcare industry. The main function of doctors will change from being operative to having an advisory position (Camarillo, Krummel, Salisbury, 2004; Kaul, 2018; Williams, 2018). Although a lot of development and research is still needed and the use of surgical robots is accompanied by some risks and ethical barriers, I do see the potential. Surgical robots will, in the long run, save costs, increase the overall experience of the patients and they are able to help more people in a more effective way. I do not think that we should fully replace human doctors anywhere in the near future but being assisted by surgical robots would, in my opinion, lead to a better, more effective and safer healthcare system.

References
Camarillo, D. B., Krummel, T. M., & Salisbury Jr, J. K. (2004). Robotic technology in surgery: past, present, and future. The American Journal of Surgery, 188(4), 2-15.
Camarillo, Krummel, Salisbury, 2004

Intuitive Surgical. (2020). About da Vinci systems. Retrieved from: https://www.davincisurgery.com/da-vinci-systems/about-da-vinci-systems

Kaul, N. (2018, April). Could a robot replace your doctor in the near future? Retrieved from:

Could a robot replace your doctor in the near future?

Mohammed, F. (2017, March). Will robots replace human doctors. Retrieved from: https://daily.jstor.org/will-robots-replace-human-doctors

Williams, A. (2018, November). Medical robotics has an ‘incredibly exciting’ future, predict experts. Retrieved from:

Medical Robotics Has an ‘Incredibly Exciting’ Future, Predict Experts

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