In the digital world, connectivity is the most important thing. The interaction of humans with technology and the ways to bond the physical and digital modes is revolutionary.
Digital Twin vs IoT
The difference between the digital twin and IoT is that the digital twin is a virtual representation of any plan or object in real-time with the help of technologies like reasoning, simulation, complex decision-making, and machine learning while IoT network of connected physical devices that run, process and act on data.
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The entire planned module with exact procedures can be replicated in real-time and helps in the identification of any shortcomings or faults.
While IoT is widely used in smart home technological appliances. It refers to the exchange and connection of data to other devices and systems over the internet.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Digital Twin | IoT |
---|---|---|
Definition | It is a logical construct that contains the real data and information in other applications | It is a network of physical objects or things that are sensors and processors which act on data |
Origin | First described by David Gelernter in 1991 and first used by NASA in 2010 | The first application of IoT was in a drink vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University in 1982 and was declared by Peter T. Lewis in a speech in 1985 |
Types | Digital twin consists of three types – the physical product, the digital or virtual product, and the connection that is established between the two products | IoT network consists of four types – cellular, local, and personal areas networks (LAN/PAN), Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) and Mesh Networks |
Characteristics | Enhanced connectivity, homogenization of data, reprogrammable, leave digital traces which helps in diagnostic of the problems, modularity, and customization of the products and modules | Intelligent features with networked architecture, decentralization, complex, and consideration for size and space |
Applications | In industries like manufacturing, urban planning and construction, healthcare industry, and even in the automotive industry | In smart home devices and consumer applications, and the industry like medical and healthcare, logistics, communication, manufacturing, agriculture, food, and maritime operations |
What is Digital Twin?
A digital twin is a representation that caters to real-time counterparts in virtual and digital forms. The representation is usually of a physical process or object.
Though digital twin was introduced by David Gelernter in 1991 in his book called Mirrors Worlds, the digital twin was first used in NASA in 2010 to improvise the physical model simulation of a spacecraft.
The subject can be further sub-classified as digital twin prototype (DTP), digital twin aggregate (DTA), and digital twin instance (DTI). It can also be divided into different integration levels.
The digital twin has characteristics like enhanced connectivity, homogenization of data, reprogrammable, leave digital traces which helps in diagnostic of the problems, modularity, and customization of the products and modules.
What is IoT?
IoT stands for Internet of Things. It refers to the objects that can exchange and connect data to other devices and systems over the internet.
The first application of IoT was in a drink vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University in 1982 and thereafter the field gained momentum.
IoT even has several threats and risks because companies mostly collect data from several sources and the place of storage is a cloud network which is a vulnerable spot.
IoT even has the potential in creating new models for civic engagement. The best example of IoT is the consumer applications in smart home technology which can analyze various parameters and provide instant solutions.
Main Difference Between Digital Twin and IoT
- Digital twin has originated in 1991 while IoT has originated in the year 1982.
- Digital twin consists of three types – the physical product, the digital or virtual product, and the connection that is established between the two products while IoT network consists of four types – cellular, local and personal areas networks (LAN/PAN), Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) and Mesh Networks.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9120192/
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-18732-3_1
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.