The development of a digital twin concept system

Abstract

Background: Digital twins are gaining ever-increasing attention from academies and industries to standardization bodies all over the world owing to their great capabilities and fundamental values in the coming fourth industrial revolution. However, there is no consistent set of definitions or concept system for the digital twin domain yet. Methods: This paper summarizes the methodology of developing a concept system with integrating ISO standards guidelines and system thinking methods, analyzes the polysemy phenomenon of the term "digital twin", and identifies the necessity to differentiate digital twin entity and digital twin system from the general term “digital twin”. Results: After analyzing nineteen definitions of digital twin (entity) and summarizing ten superordinate concepts from these definitions, this paper proposes that a digital twin entity is a kind of digital asset rather than digital representation. Based on the new superordinate concept and definition of digital twin entity, a systematic digital twin concept system is developed which consists of four parts: top-level ontology and taxonomy of entity, digital twin entity related concepts, digital twin system related concepts, and taxonomy framework related concepts. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the power and effectiveness of the combination of ISO terminology work standards, system thinking methods, and information modeling tools, lays a solid foundation for future concept systems development of other domains, and will provide useful input to the efforts of digital twin standardization.