Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 106 | Page 47

FEATURE : DIGITAL TWINS

Industrial applications of digital twins and IoT

As the Middle East continues to diversify its economy and invests in smart technologies , digital twins and IoT are merging to develop digital models for physical assets that drive efficiency and sustainability across key industries in the region , explains Talal Shaikh at Heriot-Watt University Dubai .

Rapid technological advancements have transformed industries globally and the Middle East is no exception . One of the most promising innovations that the world is witnessing is the fusion of digital twins with Internet of Things , IoT devices ; a combination that has potential to transform the industrial ecosystem .

Digital twins are a virtual replica of something physical , such as machinery or any other industrial structure . They use real-time data from IoT devices to create an accurate , dynamic model that reflects the condition and behaviour of the physical entity . Essentially , what this means is that organisations can monitor , evaluate and optimise their assets without getting physically involved .
As the Middle East continues to diversify its economy and invest in smart technologies , the use of digital twins continues to establish its foothold in the region . Digital twins and IoT are merging to develop comprehensive digital models for physical assets that drive efficiency , innovation , and sustainability across key sectors in the Middle East .
On the other hand , IoT devices are physical objects equipped with sensors , software as well as connectivity capabilities that enable them to collect and exchange data .
In industrial settings , these objects are connected to machinery or products for which they gather
Talal Shaikh , Associate Professor at School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences , Heriot-Watt University Dubai
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