An Empirical Analysis of Digital Twin Adoption

There has been significant interest in digital twins over the past few decades. Comprising a virtual replica of (cyber-)physical systems, and a bidirectional connection for data exchange with the (cyber-)physical system, digital twins create a real-time knowledge base on a system and its processes. Yet, the full potential of digital twins remains untapped. To understand the reasons for this phenomenon, it is essential to thoroughly examine the current industrial rate of adoption and accompanying trends. This paper presents the results of an online survey conducted with industrial practitioners to assess the current state of digital twin adoption, including existing practices, barriers, and desiderata. We provide an overview of potential directions for future research to promote the adoption of digital twins.