Inspiratia InfraTech Takeouts

Last year [2017], the UK's National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) floated
the idea of a pilot digital twin – a computer generated model of physical
infrastructure and data networks. The digital twin would help develop a greater
understanding of how individual infrastructure assets interact and allow more
detailed planning of future physical infrastructure, said the NIC's Sarah Hayes.
A long-term timetable has been tentatively set out for the implementation of
digital twin models, starting with initial versions based on cities and rural areas,
before a gradual combination into a full, national model.
The first panel at inspiratia's conference visualised what infrastructure would
look like in the year 2025 and explored the applications of a digital twin. It was
suggested that by incorporating data on asset usage and service capabilities,
owners could find the most efficient uses for their projects, as well as potentially
avoiding major capital expenditures.
The crucial aspects which would enable a digital twin to be used to its full
potential are artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, according to
panellists. These technologies would be able to analyse and make a huge
number of predictions more successfully than human experts.
Digital twin
needs private
sector backing
It was also stated that the key to a successful rollout of a digital twin is to gather
appropriate parties to work together on it. AI companies, entrepreneurs and
academics would need to combine with infrastructure players and authorities to
develop a successful digital twin, as the "government needs a nudge from the
private sector," according to Hayes.
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