Digital Twin: A Geospatial Perspective on this Duality of Reality

The duality of reality refers to the simultaneous existence and interplay of two distinct but interconnected realms: the physical reality and the virtual reality. It recognises that increasingly there are two interconnected aspects to our world, one tangible, and the other intangible.

The physical reality represents the tangible world we experience with our senses. It includes physical objects, environments, and phenomena that exist in space and time. It encompasses everything from buildings, vehicles, and natural landscapes to human beings and the natural laws governing our physical existence.

"I really believe that the virtual world mirrors the physical world" - Marissa Mayer

On the other hand, the virtual reality represents the intangible world, consisting of data, information, computer models, simulations, and virtual representations. It is the world of digital models, computer-generated environments, algorithms, artificial intelligence and virtual experiences. It exists in the form of bits and bytes, stored and processed by computers.

The premise behind the duality of reality is the recognition that these two realms are not separate but intertwined, allowing for a symbiotic relationship between both physical and virtual realities. A relationship that is realised through the digital mirroring of the characteristics, behavior, and functionalities of the real world into a virtual world that we now commonly refer to as a digital twin.

Despite its currency and popularity as a concept, digital twin is not entirely new. The idea has been around for many years. The model and concept of the digital twin was first publicly introduced in 2002 by Dr. Michael Grieves in the field of manufacturing. But the idea itself was likely first anticipated by David Gelernter's 1991 book, 'Mirror Worlds'.

However, reflecting more on this, I might be so bold as to suggest that in my own industry area, that of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial professionals have been, albeit unknowingly, laying the foundations for a digital twin of our planet for many years before the term was formally introduced by Dr. Grieves, 21 years ago.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it" - Peter Drucker

For over 60 years, GIS technology has played a crucial role in collecting, organising, visualising and analysing data; four activities that form a significant part of the digital twin concept.

In laying these foundations over the years we have been providing a geospatial perspective on the duality of reality. A perspective that specifically focuses on the role of spatial data, spatial relationships and associated spatial characteristics to help us understand the interplay between the physical and digital realms, as related to the world we live in.

Moreover, this digital realm, that we now know as digital twin, incorporates, represents and uses this geospatial information to simulate, analyse and influence how we perceive and interact with the physical world.

It is GIS that brings this spatial perspective to a digital reality through the integration and visualisation of various location-based datasets, such as maps, satellite imagery, terrain data, location intelligent sensor networks and demographic information. It enables the representation of physical features, infrastructure, and natural resources in a digital format, creating a comprehensive digital view of our environment.

"Everything has to do with geography" - Judy Martz

Furthermore, GIS technology facilitates the analysis and simulation of spatial relationships, allowing us to understand how different components of our planet interact, impact and influence each other. This includes analysing factors like transportation networks, landscapes, catchment areas, weather patterns, land development, cities, ecosystems, and human activities.

By leveraging GIS, organisations and researchers have been able to build extensive databases and digital models that capture the earth's physical and environmental attributes. These datasets provide valuable information about land use, terrain characteristics, climate trends, population density, and more.

"Knowing where things are, and why, is essential to rational decision making" - Jack Dangermond

With recent advancement of GIS capabilities and the availability of vast amounts of geospatial data, the foundation for a digital twin of our planet has been gradually established. This allows us to understand and simulate the complexities of our physical world in a virtual dynamic digital world, supporting informed decision-making and the sustainable management of our resources, not only on a global scale but equally on regional and local scales.

For instance, in the case of Smart Cities, a geospatial perspective is being used to model a city's infrastructure, including buildings, roads, parks, and utility networks. By incorporating real-time sensor data and geospatial information, urban planners and decision-makers can monitor and analyse various aspects of the city's functioning, such as traffic flow, energy consumption, air quality, and emergency response.

Adopting a geospatial perspective also helps in simulating and predicting the behavior of physical objects within the digital twin. By considering the location and surrounding environment, digital models can simulate how objects or systems will interact and respond to different scenarios. This allows for better planning, optimisation, and risk assessment. For example, in the energy sector, a digital twin of a wind farm can simulate wind patterns, terrain effects, and the impact on power generation based on the specific location of each turbine.

"The world is one big data problem" - Andrew McAfee

Furthermore, location-based data enhances the integration of digital twins with real-time geospatial analytics. By combining the digital twin with spatial analytics tools, organisations will gain insights into spatial patterns, identify correlations, and be in a position to make informed decisions. For example, in retail, the combination of a digital twin with location data can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, footfall patterns, and optimal store placements.

However, it's important to note that the digital twin is not a perfect replica of the physical object. It is a digital approximation that aims to capture and represent key aspects of its real-world counterpart. The level of detail and fidelity of a digital twin can vary based on the specific application and available data.

In my opinion, the geospatial perspective is of paramount importance in the creation of a digital twin. By integrating geographic information, spatial relationships, and location-based data, a geospatial perspective enhances the accuracy, context, and utility of the digital twin. It enables a deeper understanding of the physical object or system by incorporating its spatial attributes and interactions.

A geospatial perspective empowers digital twins to capture the intricate spatial patterns, simulate real-world scenarios, and facilitate informed decision-making.

It facilitates the fusion of the physical and digital realms, allowing for a comprehensive representation that helps us realise the duality of reality of the world we live in.