The relevance and the promise of the metaverse is a hotly debated topic, but there’s huge potential for it to be a crucial set of technologies for all sorts of industries. Integral to realising that potential for enterprises and businesses is digital twin technology.
Digital twin’s accuracy is the key component in making it a powerful enabler of the metaverse. By using imagery and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), highly detailed, life-like representations of places, objects, and even humans can be created. The scope of this technology is limitless. And the metaverse is a great partner host – easily accessible at any time, from anywhere. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the metaverse, but the two together can form a formidable ecosystem to lay the foundation for future innovation.
Coming back to application, and speaking of the industry I know best, i.e. event site planning, the use of digital twins remarkably reduces the need for costly or time consuming on-site meetings. As the most accurate and comprehensive representation of a physical facility or site, it enables the ability to view and interact with a facility or venue virtually and in real-time, without physically visiting it.
A central database houses all digital twin data, which can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Organisations can better their operations and identify improvements that impact their bottom line, from simply logging in to their computer. In certain circumstances, this allows organisations to reduce travel and minimise their carbon footprint by removing the need for frequent in-person evaluations and interactions.
This type of data exchange is particularly useful for problem-solving across huge businesses and smaller remote teams alike, or when teams are working collaboratively. The metaverse can play a vital part in facilitating these improvements, making them more accessible and far-reaching.
Digital twins are gaining traction in the world of sports venues. Venue operators may test and adjust everything from acoustics to lighting to crowd control by developing a digital version of a venue. Before an event, digital twins can help enhance the crowd experience by testing out different seating arrangements or even crowd flow. They can even be used as sales tools for venues. The LA Clippers is a great example. A digital twin has been created to give prospective customers a truer sense of the arena, the suites and its surroundings – so that once it actually opens, the hospitality suites have already been advertised or sold.
Across sectors, industries are beginning to see the potential of digital twins as a solution, proving that there is no limit to what can be done with this technology. Engineering companies are using them to speed up construction projects; health institutions benefit from more accurate patient or disease assessments using 3D imaging technology; airport maintenance teams improve operational efficiencies through enhanced monitoring systems; and farmers can precisely manage their crop better using data insights derived from virtual replicas.
Finally, the digital twin – metaverse ecosystem will allow businesses to trial prototypes before spending much on production models. This will contribute significantly to the development of a leaner production process that increases efficiency and decreases waste throughout the product lifecycle, making businesses more sustainable and out planet healthier.
Tomorrow’s digital twins will be more than simply virtual. They will also include sensing technologies such as cameras, microphones, and thermometers that can connect to the Internet and provide data such as ambient conditions, temperature or humidity levels, and air quality. Services may be delivered in real time for customers with these types of real-time data streams. Building a digital twin within a hotel room, for example, could notify maintenance staff if there is a problem that needs to be addressed, before it becomes a serious safety issue for safety and incurs cost of repairs.
We can utilise this technology not only to enhance operational efficiencies but to bridge the gap between real and virtual worlds. We’re seeing how virtual events are becoming more popular as an alternative to in-person meetings. Avatars and more recently human digital twins are adding another dimension to such events.
The possibilities here are truly exciting; however, I believe it is ultimately up to us to ensure that digital twins are used effectively in our constantly changing tech landscape. To be successful, we will need the dedication and ongoing investment of industry leaders; investments that go beyond simply marketing the technology itself and instead explore ways in which we can develop compelling use cases that provide tangible value back to businesses and consumers. Only then will we have taken a giant leap forward toward making the metaverse a vital part of daily life.
