Digital Twin

Digital twins

The advanced data-driven models set to power the future

What are digital twins?
Definitions vary, but they are usually understood to be comprehensive, interoperable virtual representations of physical objects, processes or systems.

Digital twins in our business sectors are shaped by the data on features such as the performance, condition and operating environments of their real-world counterparts. When AI-enabled, they can learn from data patterns and autonomously interact with their physical twins to make beneficial operational changes.

The age of the digital twin is at hand

We are leading the way in marrying data analytics with artificial intelligence (AI) through advanced digital visualisation of our propulsion systems.

Our engine digital twins are enabling a wide range of improvements in testing, maintenance, efficiency and lifespan extension. We are opening up these benefits to our customers and partners on land and at sea. Our AI specialists are equipping our digital twins with enhanced abilities to spot patterns in real-time data streams to power further efficiencies and maintenance benefits.

Virtual engines with real benefits
We are pioneers in the capturing and use of engine data to provide enhanced support and maintenance services for our customers.

Our cutting edge digital twins are breaking new ground by processing huge quantities of data from in-service engines in real-time. They support the optimisation of maintenance schedules according to the conditions of individual engines. Problems can be detected earlier, preventing malfunctions, minimising disruption and maximising system availability.

Digital twins save time and money in the rigorous testing of new engines that need to gain certification.

They also extend the time between services, enabling maintenance to be targeted towards actual operating conditions, helping to maximise the engine lifespan and by reduce the manufacturing carbon footprint.

Digital twins supporting Singapore air defences
We are developing enhanced, AI-driven aircraft maintenance solutions in partnership with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).

The collaboration is focusing on the use of machine vision to analyse images captured by tools designed to reach hard-to-reach parts of engines. Together, we are harnessing advanced data analytics and digital twin technologies to maximise the performance and availability of the country’s Air Force aircraft.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR WORK WITH THE DSTA

Digital twins on land and at sea
While our digital models of airborne counterparts are the most advanced, we are working to make digital twins for the technology across our other business sectors too.

Our Power System business is developing virtual replicas of all of our drive and power generation engines based on their usage and operating environment.

Through the partnership with Iotics, UK-based digital twins company, we have developed computer models of the rail power packs we supply to Hitachi. These data models are helping our service managers solve customer issues even more quickly and efficiently.

Our AI specialists are now developing algorithms to automatically detect sub-optimal engine performance, enabling condition-based maintenance to detect potential failures before they happen. These algorithms are powering our next generation customer service solutions.

Developing our machine-readable data into complete digital twins of our gas and diesel engines will open the door to the power of AI, not just in rail, but also in marine, power generation and other industrial applications.

Jürgen Winterholler, Chief IT Digital Officer, Power Systems

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"Digital twin technology is helping us realize our vision of placing our customers at the heart of everything we do, exploiting digital twin technology to deliver the best service and to enable our customer's businesses."