Imagine an exact duplicate of the Taj Mahal that captures all its beauty and minute details- beautiful minarets, majestic dome and all the decorative symbols on it. Something which also record and show changes happening in the structure of this wonder of the world. Sounds interesting? Get ready to be amazed with the digital twins technology that the Indian government wants to adopt soon – to enhance the smart cities of India which are already touching new milestones in terms of infrastructure each day. With its ability to replicate real-world things in a virtual environment, we now have a great chance to transform our country and preserve our landscape, culture, and society at the same time.
Digital Twins Technology set to boost New, Smart India
Preserve and Protect it all
- In India, history lies wherever you see. Every nook, each corner tells a unique tale. We have so many monuments all over our country and many of them are not in a good shape. Monuments can be digitally preserved by creating their twins and studied better. A good example of this is recently created Digital twin of Hyderabad’s Quli Qutub Shah’s tomb by the company-Hexagon.
India being a culturally rich country can not only attract tourists but also use the copies as virtual reality museums, educating new generation about our history and architecture of important historical structures.
- With the use of motion capture and 3D modeling, things like Madhubani or Warli painting or dance styles like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi can be captured on film and replicated, providing the upcoming generations with opportunities to learn new arts. By doing so, our local communities can also get empowered to preserve their cultural legacy and heritage and pass them on to their kids.
Explore- No risk and Immense Profit
- Digital twins of ISROs satellites, rockets, and even the moon, (we just got there, remember), launch trajectories for getting there can be created, possible problems can be predicted, and our astronauts can receive training in a virtual environment too using this tech. easily —all of which lower costs and increase safety. Indian Space Research Organisation has already started to test the interlinking of this technology with their own remote sensing satellite datasets, which is a good news for sure.
- Indian farmers can get real-time data by creating digital twins for their farms using sensors and with an AI-powered analysis, twins can suggest customized irrigation solutions and fertilizer use plans for their fields. This can improve the not-so-good condition of Indian agriculture and increase income of our farmers indirectly.
- Water distribution networks can be observed by our urban “Jal Nigams”, leaks can be easily found, water pressure can be optimized, and water shortage areas can be identified through it. This will help to ensure fair distribution and effective use of our water resources, which is important for India’s water-scarce areas.
Amplify what’s already being done
- Combined with location and traffic data in real-time, digital twins can plan emergency response routes, and give vital awareness about the situation in the event of an accident or natural disaster. Our northern part is earthquake-prone and peninsular part gets ravaged by cyclones like Michaung which made landfall near Chennai last year, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging infrastructure in Tamil Nadu. With proper utilization of digital twins technology, precious human and animal lives will be spare and physical property damage will be reduced too.
- Our cities produce so much waste every single day. The Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) projects that annual waste generation in India will increase to 165 MT by 2030.
- Government is continuously working towards a cleaner India by mission like “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, still there is much to improve. Digital twins can help identify illegal dumping zones and track waste disposal, as a result promoting cleaner and healthier cities for all of us.
- According to the latest crime report of India, the number of total crimes reported in 2024 yet are 445.9 per 100,000 people. Footage from CCTVs can be integrated with digital twins tech. and crime pattern can be analyzed to deploy police in crime-sensitive areas. This will surely improve public safety and enhance peace of mind for residents.
Digital twins are emerging as a powerful tool in various industries for optimizing operations, enhancing efficiency, and enabling predictive maintenance. However, the adoption and implementation of digital twins in India face several significant challenges. These challenges span across technological, infrastructural, regulatory, and skill-related domains.
Technological Challenges
1. Data Integration and Interoperability: Digital twins require the integration of data from multiple sources, such as IoT sensors, enterprise systems, and external databases. Ensuring seamless data flow and interoperability between diverse systems can be complex, especially given the varied technology stack used by different organizations.
2. Real-time Data Processing: The effectiveness of digital twins relies heavily on the ability to process and analyze data in real-time. The sheer volume of data generated by sensors and other input devices can overwhelm existing data processing capabilities, requiring advanced infrastructure and sophisticated algorithms to manage and utilize this data effectively.
3. Cybersecurity Concerns: Digital twins are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, given that they involve extensive data exchange and network connectivity. Ensuring the security of data and protecting digital twins from potential breaches is a critical challenge, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures and protocols.
Infrastructural Challenges
1. Limited Internet and Connectivity: In many parts of India, especially rural areas, reliable internet connectivity remains a challenge. Digital twins require consistent and high-speed internet connections for data transmission and real-time updates. The lack of adequate connectivity can hinder the effective deployment and operation of digital twins.
2. Insufficient IoT Infrastructure: Digital twins rely on a comprehensive network of IoT devices to collect real-time data. The deployment of such infrastructure is still in its nascent stages in many regions of India. Building and maintaining an extensive IoT network involves significant investment and technical expertise.
Regulatory and Policy Challenges
1. Data Privacy and Ownership: The creation and operation of digital twins involve the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data, raising concerns about data privacy and ownership. Clear regulations and policies are needed to address issues related to who owns the data, how it can be used, and how to protect individuals’ privacy rights.
2. Standardization Issues: The lack of standardized protocols and frameworks for digital twin implementation can lead to inconsistencies and compatibility issues. Establishing industry-wide standards is essential to ensure that digital twins developed by different vendors can interoperate and deliver consistent performance.
Skill and Workforce Challenges
1. Shortage of Skilled Professionals: Implementing and managing digital twins require a workforce with specialized skills in areas such as data analytics, IoT, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. India faces a significant skills gap in these advanced technology domains, which can impede the widespread adoption of digital twins.
2. Need for Continuous Training: The rapid evolution of digital twin technology means that professionals need ongoing training to stay updated with the latest developments and best practices. Creating a culture of continuous learning and upskilling within organizations is necessary to maintain a competent workforce.
Economic and Financial Challenges
1. High Initial Investment: The implementation of digital twins involves substantial initial investments in technology, infrastructure, and training. For many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), securing the necessary funds can be a major obstacle.
2. Return on Investment (ROI): Demonstrating the tangible benefits and ROI of digital twins can be challenging. Organizations need to justify the high costs of deployment by showing significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. This requires comprehensive case studies and proven success stories.
Adoption and Cultural Challenges
1. Resistance to Change: Organizations may face resistance from employees and stakeholders who are accustomed to traditional methods and may be wary of adopting new technologies. Overcoming this resistance requires effective change management strategies and clear communication of the benefits of digital twins.
2. Complexity of Implementation: The implementation of digital twins can be complex, involving multiple stages such as data collection, model creation, integration, and continuous monitoring. Managing this complexity requires detailed planning and coordination across various departments and stakeholders.
