Foundations for the Systematic Evolution of Digital Twins

Digital twins (DTs) are virtual counterparts to cyber-physical systems (CPSs) enabling advanced DT services such as real-time simulation of what if -scenarios, predictive maintenance, and complex behavioural reasoning. Typically, when a digital twin system (DTS) is established, a single DT is created for an actual system (AS) to fulfil certain high-level goals, known as DT purposes. Throughout the DTS’s lifecycle, various aspects (DT purposes, AS configuration or environment) evolve, and thus require the addition of new DTs, or the changing/removing of existing ones. For example, an energy-saving DT might be added to a DTS that controls heat and air quality, potentially adding opposing goals and conflicts (e.g., heating vs. saving energy). Currently, no methodology exists for the systematic evolution of DTSs, and discovering and managing conflicts.
This project will develop MetaTwins as a concept that embraces the constant evolution of DTSs as core principle. MetaTwins are dedicated DTS representations, similar to DTs that represent an AS. They orchestrate evolution in the DTS by adding, removing, and modifying its DTs, while sustaining the DTS’s purposes and validity. They provide essential services such as change discovery, Impact analyses, and simulation of the interplay among DTs, and with the AS.