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Digital Twin: Origin to Future
Open accessAbstract
Digital Twin (DT) refers to the virtual copy or model of any physical entity (physical twin) both of which are interconnected via exchange of data in real time. Conceptually, a DT mimics the state of its physical twin in real time and vice versa. Application of DT includes real-time monitoring, designing/planning, optimization, maintenance, remote access, etc. Its implementation is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decades. The advent of Industry 4.0 has brought complex industrial systems that are more autonomous, smart, and highly interconnected. These systems generate considerable amounts of data useful for several applications such as improving performance, predictive maintenance, training, etc. A sudden influx in the number of publications related to ‘Digital Twin’ has led to confusion between different terminologies related to the digitalization of industries. Another problem that has arisen due to the growing popularity of DT is a lack of consensus on the description of DT as well as so many different types of DT, which adds to the confusion. This paper intends to consolidate the different types of DT and different definitions of DT throughout the literature for easy identification of DT from the rest of the complimentary terms such as ‘product avatar’, ‘digital thread’, ‘digital model’, and ‘digital shadow’. The paper looks at the concept of DT since its inception to its predicted future to realize the value it can bring to certain sectors. Understanding the characteristics and types of DT while weighing its pros and cons is essential for any researcher, business, or sector before investing in the technology.
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“In accordance with DT characteristics, the DTP is able to simulate manufacturing scenarios and perform validation testing, evaluation and even quality control testing prior to the actual manufacturing process itself.This approach effectively reduces production costs and operational time by identifying flaws or possible risks of the physical twin before production.”
From Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [10]
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“It is important to note that the development and widespread implementation of DTs depend on the advances in research and enabling technologies such as AI, ML, big data, 5G communication and cloud/edge computing [10,83].”
From Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [10]
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“The proposed approach involved utilizing DT technology to replicate the aircraft's physical and mechanical characteristics, aiming to forecast potential fatigue or structural cracks.This strategy would effectively extend the operational lifespan of the aircraft [21].”
From Digital Twins in the IIoT: Current Practices and Future Directions Toward Industry 5.0 (2025) · cites this paper as [21]
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“Furthermore, the continuous transfer of information between DT and its physical counterpart enables ongoing validation and optimization of the system's processes [21].”
From Digital Twins in the IIoT: Current Practices and Future Directions Toward Industry 5.0 (2025) · cites this paper as [21]
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“However, the modern state of the art classifies and defines DTs based on the application domain [10] and their levels of integration.”
From Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [10]
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“High costs of implementation due to the increased amount of sensors and computational resources needed [10,18].”
From Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [10]
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“Issues related to data (trust, privacy, cybersecurity, convergence and governance, acquisition and large-scale analysis) [10].”
From Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [10]
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Citations
Cites
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“…literature have referred to DT as a virtual or digital model [21,23,27–35], layout [36], counterpart [7,9,35,37], doppelganger [38], clone [39], footprint [40], software analogue [41], representation [42–46], information constructs [2,47], or simulation [20,26,48–51] of its physical counterpart.”
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Digital Twin Technology Challenges and Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Botín-Sanabria, D. M., Mihaita, A.-S., Peimbert-García, R. E., Ramírez-Moreno, M. A., Ramírez-Mendoza, R. A., & Lozoya-Santos, J. D. J. (2022) · Remote Sensing · doi:10.3390/rs14061335 · Cited by 878
Human Digital Twin in the context of Industry 5.0
Wang, B., Zhou, H., Li, X., Yang, G., Zheng, P., Song, C., Yuan, Y., Wuest, T., Yang, H., & Wang, L. (2023) · Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing · doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2023.102626 · Cited by 452
Digital Twin applications toward Industry 4.0: A Review
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Applications of Digital Twin across Industries: A Review
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“To get a better understanding of DT, our previous review paper [2] can be referred to, which talks about the definitions of DT across the literature, its characteristics, types, advantages, and challenges.”
InfluentialSelf-citationDigital twin for smart manufacturing, A review
Soori, M., Behrooz Arezoo, B., & Dastres, R. (2023) · Sustainable Manufacturing and Service Economics · doi:10.1016/j.smse.2023.100017 · Cited by 411
Arsiwala, A., Elghaish, F., & Zoher, M. (2023) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112851 · Cited by 231
Big data, machine learning, and digital twin assisted additive manufacturing: A review
Jin, L., Zhai, X., Wang, K., Zhang, K., Wu, D., Nazir, A., Jiang, J., & Liao, W. (2024) · Materials & Design · doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2024.113086 · Cited by 232
Digital Twins’ Applications for Building Energy Efficiency: A Review
Bortolini, R., Rodrigues, R., Alavi, H., Vecchia, L. F. D., & Forcada, N. (2022) · Energies · doi:10.3390/en15197002 · Cited by 239
Impactful Digital Twin in the Healthcare Revolution
Hassani, H., Huang, X., & MacFeely, S. (2022) · Big Data and Cognitive Computing · doi:10.3390/bdcc6030083 · Cited by 206
“There are bi-directional data connections between the physical product and its virtual twin; however, the data is exchanged manually [27,28], meaning the virtual twin represents a certain status of the physical product with the manually controlled process of synthesis.”
BackgroundXu, H., Omitaomu, O. A., Sabri, S., Sisi Zlatanova, B., Li, X., & Song, Y. (2024) · Urban Informatics · doi:10.1007/s44212-024-00060-w · Cited by 253
“…developing a comprehensive 3D city model for large urban areas is a costly, repetitive, and labor-intensive endeavor (Botín-Sanabria et al. 2022; Singh et al. 2021), which involves clarification of needed urban entities (e.g., buildings, transportation infrastructure, green areas, water bodies)…”
Coupry, C., Noblecourt, S., Richard, P., Baudry, D., & Bigaud, D. (2021) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app11156810 · Cited by 160
The Future of the Human–Machine Interface (HMI) in Society 5.0
Mourtzis, D., Angelopoulos, J., & Panopoulos, N. (2023) · Future Internet · doi:10.3390/fi15050162 · Cited by 217
Towards electric digital twin grid: Technology and framework review
Sifat, M. M. H., Choudhury, S. M., Das, S. K., Ahamed, M. H., Muyeen, S. M., Hasan, M. M., Ali, M. F., Tasneem, Z., Islam, M. M., Islam, M. R., et al. (2022) · Energy and AI · doi:10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100213 · Cited by 189
“‘‘Mirror Worlds’’ was conceived by David Gelernter in 1991 and uses software replicas to invent realism by means of data input from the real world [110].”
BackgroundInfluentialMeasuring and evaluating SDG indicators with Big Earth Data
Guo, H., Liang, D., Sun, Z., Chen, F., Wang, X., Li, J., Zhu, L., Bian, J., Wei, Y., Huang, L., et al. (2022) · 中国科学通报：英文版 · doi:10.1016/j.scib.2022.07.015 · Cited by 175
Survey on Digital Twin Edge Networks (DITEN) Toward 6G
Tang, F., Chen, X., Rodrigues, T. K., Zhao, M., & Kato, N. (2022) · IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society · doi:10.1109/ojcoms.2022.3197811 · Cited by 165
“DT can accurately replicate the physical object in the digital domain, and the physical object interacts constantly and evolutes synchronously with its virtual twin throughout its life cycle [16], [17].”
BackgroundDigital twins for the automation of the heritage construction sector
Lucchi, E. (2023) · Automation in Construction · doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2023.105073 · Cited by 177
Benedictis, A. D., Mazzocca, N., Somma, A., & Strigaro, C. (2022) · IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics · doi:10.1109/jbhi.2022.3205506 · Cited by 158
“, monitoring and controlling the physical twin or predicting its future behavior [6].”
BackgroundInfluentialDigital Twins in agriculture: challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability
Purcell, W., Neubauer, T., & Mallinger, K. (2023) · Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability · doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2022.101252 · Cited by 160
Towards next generation digital twin in robotics: Trends, scopes, challenges, and future
Mazumder, A., Sahed, M. F., Tasneem, Z., Das, P., Badal, F. R., Ali, M. F., Ahamed, M., Abhi, S. H., Sarker, S., Das, S. K., et al. (2023) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13359 · Cited by 129
“In 1991, David Gelernter imagined “Mirror Worlds”, a similar concept in which software models mimic reality from information input from the physical world [10].”
BackgroundBuilding Digital Twins for Cardiovascular Health: From Principles to Clinical Impact
Sel, K., Osman, D., Zare, F., Shahrbabak, S. M., Brattain, L. J., Hahn, J., Inan, O. T., Mukkamala, R., Palmer, J., Paydarfar, D., et al. (2024) · Journal of the American Heart Association · doi:10.1161/jaha.123.031981 · Cited by 162
Digital Twins and Enabling Technologies in Museums and Cultural Heritage: An Overview
Luther, W. J., Baloian, N. A., Biella, D., & Sacher, D. (2023) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s23031583 · Cited by 156
“Two further papers [47,52] by Singh et al. covered the A complete DT should include five dimensions: physical, virtual, connection, data, and service. applications of DTs and their advantages in more than 13 industries/sectors, further mentioning heritage Variants and extensions of the DT concept…”
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“The main idea of DTs, as an important embodied part of VR, is a virtual copy or model of any physical entity (physical twin), and both of them are interconnected by real-time data exchange [68], [69].”
BackgroundDigital Twins in Healthcare: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities
Meijer, C., Uh, H., & el Bouhaddani, S. (2023) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm13101522 · Cited by 122
“Digital twin technologies have seen a rise in popularity in various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, and rocketry, from where the term originated [1].”
BackgroundIslam, M. T., Sepanloo, K., Woo, S., Woo, S. H., & Son, Y. (2025) · Machines · doi:10.3390/machines13040267 · Cited by 193
“It can lower non-value-added transportation costs and ensure acceptable safety in systems where local access is limited and hazardous [37]. can lower non-value-added transportation costs and ensure acceptable safety in systems where local access is limited and hazardous [37].”
Hassoun, A., Jagtap, S., Trollman, H., Garcia‐Garcia, G., Duong, L. N. K., Saxena, P., Bouzembrak, Y., Treiblmaier, H., Parra-López, C., Carmona‐Torres, C., et al. (2024) · Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety · doi:10.1111/1541-4337.70040 · Cited by 138
Iliuţă, M.-E., Moisescu, M.-A., Pop, E., Ionita, A.-D., Caramihai, S.-I., & Mitulescu, T.-C. (2024) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app14135454 · Cited by 134
“[11].”
BackgroundInfluentialde Wilde, P. (2023) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113171 · Cited by 132
“As with any novel concept there are still different definitions and interpretations of Digital Twins [37,38].”
Software defined satellite networks: A survey
Jiang, W. (2023) · Digital Communications and Networks · doi:10.1016/j.dcan.2023.01.016 · Cited by 124
Hariri‐Ardebili, M. A., Mahdavi, G., Nuss, L. K., & Lall, U. (2023) · Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence · doi:10.1016/j.engappai.2023.106813 · Cited by 127
Exploring the Benefits and Limitations of Digital Twin Technology in Building Energy
Tahmasebinia, F., Lin, L., Wu, S., Kang, Y., & Sepasgozar, S. M. E. (2023) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app13158814 · Cited by 135
Le, T. V., & Fan, R. (2023) · Computers & Industrial Engineering · doi:10.1016/j.cie.2023.109768 · Cited by 191
“NASA initiated the Digital Twins (DTs) concept which the aerospace domain later adopted as a key element in the 2010 technology roadmap (Singh et al., 2021).”
MethodA review of digital twin capabilities, technologies, and applications based on the maturity model
Liu, Y., Feng, J., Lu, J., & Zhou, S. (2024) · Advanced Engineering Informatics · doi:10.1016/j.aei.2024.102592 · Cited by 123
Digital Twin: Where do humans fit in?
Agrawal, A., Thiel, R. W., Jain, P., Singh, V., & Fischer, M. A. (2023) · Automation in Construction · doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104749 · Cited by 128
Das, O., Zafar, M. H., Sanfilippo, F., Rudra, S., & Kolhe, M. L. (2024) · Energy Conversion and Management X · doi:10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100715 · Cited by 122
“This digital replica can simulate, predict, and analyse behaviours and dynamics in the physical counterpart, offering insights that were previously difficult or impossible to obtain [19].”
Overview on Digital Twin for Autonomous Electrical Vehicles Propulsion Drive System
Ibrahim, M., Rassõlkin, A., Vaimann, T., & Kallaste, A. (2022) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su14020601 · Cited by 115
Smart Electric Vehicle Charging in the Era of Internet of Vehicles, Emerging Trends, and Open Issues
Rimal, B. P., Kong, C., Poudel, B., Wang, Y., & Shahi, P. (2022) · Energies · doi:10.3390/en15051908 · Cited by 111
Populating the Data Space for Cultural Heritage with Heritage Digital Twins
Niccolucci, F., Felicetti, A., & Hermon, S. (2022) · Data · doi:10.3390/data7080105 · Cited by 107
“This digital framework is already in use in several manufacturing sectors [7].”
MethodMethods for enabling real-time analysis in digital twins: A literature review
Eshaghi, M. S., Anitescu, C., & Rabczuk, T. (2024) · Computers & Structures · doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2024.107342 · Cited by 120
Digital twins: dynamic model-data fusion for ecology
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Enabling battery digital twins at the industrial scale
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A Comprehensive Survey of Digital Twins in Healthcare in the Era of Metaverse
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Digital Post-Disaster Risk Management Twinning: A Review and Improved Conceptual Framework
Lagap, U., & Ghaffarian, S. (2024) · International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction · doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104629 · Cited by 82
From Simulation to Autonomy: Reviews of the Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins
Sajadieh, S. M. M., & Noh, S. D. (2025) · International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology · doi:10.1007/s40684-025-00750-z · Cited by 114
“Unit-level DTs simulate individual components, whereas system-level DTs connect these units to optimise production systems [84–86].”
Digital twin applications on cultural world heritage sites in China: A state-of-the-art overview
Dang, X., Liu, W., Hong, Q., Wang, Y., & Chen, X. (2023) · Journal of Cultural Heritage · doi:10.1016/j.culher.2023.10.005 · Cited by 100
A review of unit level digital twin applications in the manufacturing industry
Böttjer, T., Tola, D., Kakavandi, F., Wewer, C. R., Ramanujan, D., Gomes, C. Â. G., Larsen, P. G., & Iosifidis, A. (2023) · CIRP journal of manufacturing science and technology · doi:10.1016/j.cirpj.2023.06.011 · Cited by 92
“1: 1) Unit level, 2) System level, and 3) System of Systems level [120].”
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Digital Twin Approach for Operation and Maintenance of Transportation System—Systematic Review
Werbińska-Wojciechowska, S., Giel, R., & Winiarska, K. (2024) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s24186069 · Cited by 123
Predictive digital twin for wind energy systems: a literature review
Kandemir, E., Hasan, A., Kvamsdal, T., & Alaliyat, S. A.-A. (2024) · Energy Informatics · doi:10.1186/s42162-024-00373-9 · Cited by 88
“Moreover, within complex systems, understanding subsystems poses a challenge, but the digital twin simplifies understanding both sub-systems and the interaction between systems (Singh et al. 2021).”
BackgroundDigital Twin Applications in the Water Sector: A Review
Bam, P. G., Rezaei, N., Roubanis, A., Austin, D. M., Austin, E. S., Tarroja, B., Takacs, I., Villez, K., & Rosso, D. (2025) · Water · doi:10.3390/w17202957 · Cited by 98
Digital twin-driven virtual commissioning of machine tool
Wang, J., Niu, X., Gao, R. X., Huang, Z., & Xue, R. (2022) · Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing · doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2022.102499 · Cited by 78
Sadeghi, A., Bellavista, P., Song, W., & Yazdani-Asrami, M. (2024) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2024.3371902 · Cited by 90
“According to [102], each DT must have seven characteristics that are: High fidelity : High fidelity means that DT must have an extremely high accuracy in performance, appearance, and subsystems.”
Overview of Digital Twin Platforms for EV Applications
Ibrahim, M., Rjabtšikov, V., & Zequera, R. A. G. (2023) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s23031414 · Cited by 77
Digital twin for personalized medicine development
Saratkar, S., Langote, M., Kumar, P., Gote, P. M., Weerarathna, I. N., & Mishra, G. (2025) · Frontiers in Digital Health · doi:10.3389/fdgth.2025.1583466 · Cited by 88
“As of 2024, it is reported that 86% of organizations across various industries view DTs as a core component of their digital innovation strategies (19) (20, 21),.”
Digital Twins for Construction Assets Using BIM Standard Specifications
El-Din, M. N., Pereira, P. F., Martins, J. P., & Ramos, N. (2022) · Buildings · doi:10.3390/buildings12122155 · Cited by 97
Interoperability levels and challenges of digital twins in cyber–physical systems
Acharya, S., Khan, A. A., & Päivärinta, T. (2024) · Journal of Industrial Information Integration · doi:10.1016/j.jii.2024.100714 · Cited by 79
3D Printing and Implementation of Digital Twins: Current Trends and Limitations
Kantaros, A., Piromalis, D. D., Tsaramirsis, G., Papageorgas, P., & Tamimi, H. (2021) · Applied System Innovation · doi:10.3390/asi5010007 · Cited by 70
The Social Digital Twin:The Social Turn in the Field of Smart Cities
Ravid, B. Y., & Aharon–Gutman, M. (2022) · Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science · doi:10.1177/23998083221137079 · Cited by 73
“…of the UDT lie in the processes of digital twin product design and production — that is, in the replication of physical consumer products within a virtual system that allows optimal symbolization and planning of the product or the production line (Grieves and Vickers, 2017; Singh et al., 2021).”
BackgroundLiterature review of digital twin in healthcare
Machado, T. M., & Berssaneti, F. T. (2023) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19390 · Cited by 73
“[49] and that it is still concentrated in the domain of technology sources (Fig.”
BackgroundDigital twin for electric vehicle battery management with incremental learning
Eaty, N. D. K. M., & Bagade, P. (2023) · Expert Systems with Applications · doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2023.120444 · Cited by 74
Rowan, N. J. (2024) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171672 · Cited by 76
Piccarozzi, M., Silvestri, L., Silvestri, C., & Ruggieri, A. (2024) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123467 · Cited by 83
Implementation of Battery Digital Twin: Approach, Functionalities and Benefits
Singh, S., Weeber, M., & Birke, K. (2021) · Batteries · doi:10.3390/batteries7040078 · Cited by 58
“Some articles [8,9] describe seemingly similar concepts to DTs, such as digital shadow, virtual model, product avatar and digital thread, but they do not necessarily indicate the complete concept of DT, but rather fragments of overlapping functions.”
BackgroundA Survey on Wireless Wearable Body Area Networks: A Perspective of Technology and Economy
Bhatti, D. S., Saleem, S., Imran, A., Iqbal, Z., Alzahrani, A., Kim, H., & Kim, K. (2022) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s22207722 · Cited by 77
“It is an outstanding technology that simulates what-if scenarios for products, and processes that need to be changed and tested before deploying into the real/physical world [246].”
BackgroundYitmen, İ., Almusaed, A., Hussein, M., & Almssad, A. (2025) · Buildings · doi:10.3390/buildings15071030 · Cited by 70
Artificial intelligence in sport: A narrative review of applications, challenges and future trends
Zhou, D., Keogh, J., Ma, Y., Tong, R. K., Khan, A. R., & Jennings, N. R. (2025) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2025.2518694 · Cited by 70
Shang, C., Liu, S., Shao, R., Han, P., Zang, X., Zhang, X., Salama, K. N., Gao, W., Lee, C. H., Thomale, R., et al. (2022) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202202922 · Cited by 71
Defining a Digital Twin: A Data Science-Based Unification
Emmert‐Streib, F. (2023) · Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction · doi:10.3390/make5030054 · Cited by 71
Digital Twins' Maturity: The Need for Interoperability
Klar, R., Arvidsson, N., & Angelakis, V. (2023) · IEEE Systems Journal · doi:10.1109/jsyst.2023.3340422 · Cited by 71
“…is exacerbated in an environment where there are multiple DTs at different hierarchical levels as each DT consumes and generates a different type of data and relies on the other DTs, which can lead to a complicated relationship between data sets resulting in data interoperability issues [42].”
BackgroundInfluentialJameil, A. K., & Al-Raweshidy, H. S. (2025) · Discover Internet of Things · doi:10.1007/s43926-025-00135-3 · Cited by 85
“This paper aims to explore DT’s innovative applications in healthcare, particularly in addressing complex health challenges [5, 6].”
Digital Twin-Enabled Smart Maritime Logistics Management in the Context of Industry 5.0
Zhou, F., Yu, K., Xie, W. C., Lyu, J., Zheng, Z., & Zhou, S. (2024) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2024.3354838 · Cited by 66
“The notion of the digital twin was initially introduced by Michael Grieves in 2002, whose fundamental principle involves the mapping and synchronization of physical entities in real time to attain a virtual representation of said entities by means of digital models [6].”
MethodDigital Twin Models: Functions, Challenges, and Industry Applications
Rayhana, R., Bai, L., Xiao, G. G., Liao, M., & Liu, Z. (2024) · IEEE Journal of Radio Frequency Identification · doi:10.1109/jrfid.2024.3387996 · Cited by 68
“These models cannot generate real-time results, indicating that they can not update or simulate any sudden changes in the physical components/system [31].”
BackgroundInfluentialDigital Twin in Industries: A Comprehensive Survey
Zami, M. B. A., Shaon, S., Khanh, Q. V., & Nguyen, D. C. (2025) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2025.3551532 · Cited by 83
“DTs not only reflect the current state of the physical system but also influence and enhance its performance by implementing real-time adjustments [50].”
The Development of a Digital Twin Framework for an Industrial Robotic Drilling Process
Farhadi, A., Lee, S., Hinchy, E. P., O’Dowd, N. P., & McCarthy, C. T. (2022) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s22197232 · Cited by 65
Self-citationSun, Y., Fesenko, H. V., Kharchenko, V. S., Zhong, L., Kliushnikov, I. M., Illiashenko, O. A., Morozova, O., & Sachenko, A. (2022) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s22176444 · Cited by 67
City Digital Twins: their maturity level and differentiation from 3D city models
Masoumi, H., Shirowzhan, S., Eskandarpour, P., & Pettit, C. J. (2023) · Big Earth Data · doi:10.1080/20964471.2022.2160156 · Cited by 67
“Such digital replicas are used to observe, predict and maintain their target systems (Singh et al., 2021).”
MethodDigital twins: Representation, Replication, Reality, and Relational (4Rs)
Hyre, A., Harris, G. A., Osho, J., Pantelidakis, M., Mykoniatis, K., & Liu, J. (2021) · Manufacturing Letters · doi:10.1016/j.mfglet.2021.12.004 · Cited by 62
Saporiti, N., Cannas, V. G., Pozzi, R., & Rossi, T. (2023) · International Journal of Production Economics · doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2023.108888 · Cited by 60
Industrial Metaverse: A Comprehensive Review, Environmental Impact, and Challenges
Nleya, S. M., & Velempini, M. (2024) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app14135736 · Cited by 71
Chaparro-Cárdenas, S. L., Ramirez-Bautista, J. A., Terven, J. R., Esparza, D. M. C., Romero-González, J.-A., Ramírez-Pedraza, A., & Chávez‐Urbiola, E. A. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13141763 · Cited by 78
“It enables rapid prototyping and testing of design concepts, materials, and predicted behaviors in a virtual setting [6].”
Cepa, J. J., Pavón, R. M., Alberti, M. G., Ciccone, A., & Asprone, D. (2023) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app13053176 · Cited by 77
Digital Twins: Enabling Interoperability in Smart Manufacturing Networks
O’Connell, E., O’Brien, W., Bhattacharya, M., Moore, D., & Penica, M. (2023) · Telecom · doi:10.3390/telecom4020016 · Cited by 59
“After reviewing the literature, a summary of the relevant terminologies of a digital twin is shown below [12–14].”
BackgroundMethodEmergence of the ‘Digitalized Self’ in the Age of Digitalization
Chan, K. T. (2022) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100191 · Cited by 56
Sun, Z., Jayasinghe, S., Sidiq, A., Shahrivar, F., Mahmoodian, M., & Setunge, S. (2024) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s25010059 · Cited by 76
Osho, J., Hyre, A., Pantelidakis, M., Ledford, A., Harris, G. A., Liu, J., & Mykoniatis, K. (2022) · Journal of Manufacturing Systems · doi:10.1016/j.jmsy.2022.04.014 · Cited by 55
Thwe, M. M., Stefanov, A. I., Rajkumar, V. S., & Pálenský, P. (2025) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2025.3580055 · Cited by 57
“A successful operation of power systems DT relies on a comprehensive understanding and utilization of various data sources [15], [106].”
Moiceanu, G., & Paraschiv, G. (2022) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s22041388 · Cited by 60
Autonomous Driving Test Method Based on Digital Twin: A Survey
Niaz, A., Shoukat, M. U., Jia, Y., Khan, S., Niaz, F., & Raza, M. U. (2021) · International Conference on Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering (ICE Cube) · doi:10.1109/icecube53880.2021.9628341 · Cited by 54
Ship’s Digital Twin—A Review of Modelling Challenges and Applications
Assani, N., Matić, P., & Katalinić, M. (2022) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app12126039 · Cited by 56
Wagner, R., & Kabalska, A. (2022) · Sustainable Development · doi:10.1002/sd.2474 · Cited by 40
Digital Twins in the Sustainable Construction Industry
Zahedi, F., Alavi, H., Sardroud, J. M., & Dang, H. (2024) · Buildings · doi:10.3390/buildings14113613 · Cited by 61
Industry 4.0 technologies in support of circular Economy: A 10R-based integration framework
Ciano, M. P., Peron, M., Panza, L., & Pozzi, R. (2025) · Computers & Industrial Engineering · doi:10.1016/j.cie.2025.110867 · Cited by 73
A digital twin of a local energy system based on real smart meter data
Bayer, D., & Pruckner, M. (2023) · Energy Informatics · doi:10.1186/s42162-023-00263-6 · Cited by 53
“A digital twin is a virtual model of an existing product or system with an information exchange both from the existing system to the virtual model and vice versa (Singh et al. 2021; Jones et al. 2020).”
BackgroundAdeagbo, M. O., Wang, S.-M., & Ni, Y. (2024) · Advanced Engineering Informatics · doi:10.1016/j.aei.2024.102450 · Cited by 55
Digital twins to enable better precision and personalized dementia care
Wickramasinghe, N. S., Ulapane, N. N. B., Andargoli, A., Ossai, C. I., Shuakat, M. N., Nguyen, T. A., & Zelcer, J. (2022) · JAMIA Open · doi:10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac072 · Cited by 52
Kantaros, A., Ganetsos, T. K., Pallis, E., & Papoutsidakis, M. G. (2025) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app15169213 · Cited by 63
Enhancing e-government with a digital twin for innovation management
Anshari, M. F., & Hamdan, M. (2022) · Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management · doi:10.1108/jstpm-11-2021-0176 · Cited by 37
Digital-Twins-Based Internet of Robotic Things for Remote Health Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients
Khan, S., Ullah, S., Khan, H. U., & Rehman, I. U. (2023) · IEEE Internet of Things Journal · doi:10.1109/jiot.2023.3267171 · Cited by 58
“THE DIGITAL-twins (DTs) paradigm creates a virtualphysical system that allows bidirectional data exchange between a physical entity (device, equipment, object, or human) and its virtual counterpart using a communication network [1], [2], [3], [4].”
BackgroundA Bibliometric Analysis of Digital Twin in the Supply Chain
Siew, L. W., Hoe, L. W., & Lee, P. F. (2023) · Mathematics · doi:10.3390/math11153350 · Cited by 57
“Data”
Survey and insights on digital twins design and smart grid’s applications
Djebali, S., Guérard, G., & Taleb, I. (2023) · Future Generation Computer Systems · doi:10.1016/j.future.2023.11.033 · Cited by 55
Metadata
- Authors
- Singh, M., Fuenmayor, E., Hinchy, E., Qiao, Y., Murray, N., & Devine, D.
- Affiliations
- Athlone Institute of Technology (IE)
- University of Limerick (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Devine, Declan
- Venue
- Applied System Innovation
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2021-05-24
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 36
- ISSN
- 2571-5577 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3164800436
- Cited by
- 1,038
- References
- 72
- Citations by year
- 2026: 189 · 2025: 275 · 2024: 260 · 2023: 198 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 14
- FWCI
- 74.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Applied System Innovation (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- University of Limerick Institutional Repository (University of Limerick) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Research@THEA (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Funders
- Science Foundation Ireland (16/RC/3918)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Digital Transformation in Industry
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Applied Advanced Technologies
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Digital Innovation in Industries
- Keywords
- digital twin, physical twin, Industry 4.0, real-time data exchange, predictive maintenance, digital thread, digital models, digital shadow, terminology confusion, industrial digitalization
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