Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

This paper presents results from a web survey conducted during the Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E (IMOCO4.E) CHIPS JU EU project. Our aim is to identify key challenges and benefits of using digital twins and to understand challenges and next steps companies face when developing digital twins. Additionally, we present three digital twins applications from three different European projects: mining machine control from the IMOCO4.E project, precise robotic arm motion control in the construction industry (RobétArmé) EU project and vehicle dynamics control for smart city digital twin (DIDYMOS-XR) project. We conclude that digital twins are primarily used during the design phase to support development of complex systems. The utilization during the operational phase is emerging, and offers a substantial potential, especially when enhancing digital twin capabilities towards modelling the manufacturing process and performance in the field. Furthermore, we summarise the key challenges for digital twins as they transition towards industry 5.0.