A digital twin is different from a simulation because it can ingest and visualize an array of information and models that enable more complex, true-to-life simulations. Closing this “simulation-to-real” gap provides greater confidence that physical things will work as designed in the real world.
The process of developing a digital twin and simulating with it is an iterative process. First teams need to import or create the digital assets necessary to create a digital twin (objects, models, environments, sensors, etc.), and then define the variables and actions of the assets and agents for the desired simulation scenario(s) (e.g., physics, controllers, behavior models, sensors, environment layout, etc.). Insights from the simulations can help inform decisions around product development and/or operations.