Arguably one of the most overhyped buzzwords in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, building Ownership, and Operations (AECOO) technology, the “Digital Twin” is slowly transitioning from a visionary concept to an achievable reality. With the opportunity to further capitalize on investments in digitization and the efforts that industry leaders have put into Building Information Modelling (BIM) for building design, construction planning and ongoing facilities management, many are keeping a close eye on this evolving blend of technologies.
The digital twin concept
As defined in a recent Digital Twin Industry Report from Hexagon, “A digital twin is a precise digital representation of the physical world that uses dynamic data to simulate, analyze, monitor and optimize performance.” To add further, I believe that a digital twin in the form of an asset is not a singular technology but a culmination of many existing or possibly even emerging technologies. It delivers intelligence in one spot to enable planners, designers, builders and owner/operators to make well-informed decisions on the assets, processes and activities within a project or facility. That said, it is equally important to spell out what a digital twin is not. It is not a laser scan, a collection of 360 photographs, a 2D CAD plan or even a building information model. In fact, a digital twin doesn’t even require three-dimensional geometry. For example, we can have a digital twin of a process. At its core, a digital twin is built on structured data and the ability to update itself with new recurring data from its physical twin.
Taking a cue from Formula 1 Racing
While many of us work within the world of buildings, it’s helpful to step outside our day-to-day and look at other fields. Take, for instance, Formula 1 — specifically, Max Verstappen’s Oracle Red Bull Racing car. Each race, this car’s onboard sensors capture around 400 GB of data. To put that in perspective, that’s enough data to hold 100,000 songs, which would take nearly a year of continuous listening to get through.
However, data alone isn’t actionable; without context, it’s simply numbers. The same applies to a detailed digital model of the F1 car. While impressive visually, it doesn’t offer much value on its own. But when that data is fed into a digital twin, it transforms into a powerful tool, allowing the team to cut functional faults in half compared to previous years. This digital twin supports an incredible 20,000 design tweaks each race season for Red Bull Racing, optimizing the car to its full potential. What if we could apply this same level of precision and optimization to the buildings we design, construct and operate?
In AECOO, we also strive for optimal performance — though our prize isn’t a trophy; it’s a structure that’s sustainable, profitable and highly functional.
The importance of digital twins in buildings: Where is the value?
In the spirit of continuing to look outside of AECOO for lessons learned, Hexagon’s Digital Twin Industry Report examined 11 industries, ranging from automotive to infrastructure AECOO, with AEC respondents answering separately from owners.
Of the 660 executives and industry leaders interviewed, 64% see immense value measured from their investments in digital twins to date. However, a significant divide emerged: 65% of building owners see high value in digital twins. In comparison, only 47% of AEC respondents share that view — a striking difference that underscores a gap in perceived benefits within the industry.
Industry aside, where do leaders see the biggest benefits after investing in a digital twin? Improved efficiency from their people was the highest measured impact to date, while empowering their teams with a better tool to solve problems and reduce risk came in second and third.
Why now? Key drivers behind digital twin adoption
Simply put, the AECOO industry is at an inflection point. Technologies that were emerging just a few years ago have rapidly matured and now offer tangible return on investment. As long-time industry leader Josh Marriot from Weitz observed, “We’re in a revolution as an industry, and I see that accelerating.”
Additionally, there is growing pressure within and outside organizations to address critical issues like sustainability. Eight out of ten companies that have invested in digital twins report that their digital twins are reducing carbon emissions. As the World Economic Forum notes, pairing digital twins with AI can further accelerate emissions reductions through predictive maintenance and real-time reporting.
Let’s pull this back from an all-industry digital twin to a focus on the AECOO industry. The ultimate benefactor of the digital twin of a building isn’t those designing the buildings, it isn’t those planning the buildings, it isn’t those building the buildings, nor is it those operating them. It is all of the above. The challenge ahead is that until we reach an alignment of objectives and goals, I am afraid we won’t have the utopian digital twin anytime soon.
Where do we go from here?
As HOK’s Mark Cichy said, “We should be more strategic, acknowledging that we have to start somewhere and build over time.” Taking a gradual approach may be the most effective way to realize the full potential of digital twins rather than attempting to accomplish everything at once.
For those already using digital twins, the benefits often exceed initial expectations. There’s a clear gap between the anticipated value for those without digital twins and the actual advantages reported by those using them. Enhanced collaboration, proactive problem-solving and improved reliability are areas where digital twins are proving their worth, even when these impacts are undervalued.
Artificial intelligence and digital twins
It goes without saying that AI is the hottest technology topic at the moment across many industries. While maturity is necessary for AECOO to capitalize on how we use AI in our daily lives and in solving big business problems, it has already been instrumental in enhancing the appeal of digital twins. In fact, 80% of executives believe AI intensifies the attractiveness of the digital twin.
Why is that?
AI’s benefits go beyond the obvious. Yes, it has the potential to accelerate workflows. Yes, it is in a position to take mundane tasks and automate them. But most importantly, it enables unbiased data entry and forces well-structured data, simplifying analytics and data processing. This is essential if we want digital twins to mature beyond a one-stop shop for all of our facility information into one that supports predictive maintenance and accurately simulates real-world scenarios.
AI’s impact is comprehensive, spanning from the start of creating digital twins to maintaining real-time updates and accessibility. This approach empowers users with more intuitive, readily available and data-driven insights.
The path forward
So, where might the digital twin take us in the AECOO space?
The industry’s inflection point is being driven by the convergence of technologies. BIM, sensors, IoT, AI, digital twins and countless other innovations are coming together to deliver integrated solutions. Challenges drive change, and if change is for the better then achievable examples are surely right in front of us and often less complex than they may seem.
As the AECOO industry navigates this critical turning point, digital twins stand poised to be a defining tool, transforming not only our buildings but also how we experience and manage them. Now is the time to embrace this shift and realize the potential at our fingertips.
