Geo-Spatial Context Provision for Digital Twin Generation

Abstract

Light detection and ranging technology allows for the creation of detailed 3D point clouds of physical objects and environments. Therefore, it has the potential to provide valuable information for the operation of various kinds of cyber-physical systems that need to be aware of, and interact with, their surroundings, such as autonomous vehicles and robots. Point clouds can also become the basis for the creation of digital representations of different assets and a system’s operational environment. This article outlines a system architecture that integrates the geo-spatial context information provided by LiDAR scans with behavioral models of the components of a cyber-physical system to create a digital twin. The clear distinction between behavior and data sets the proposed digital twin architecture apart from existing approaches (that primarily focus on the data aspect), and promotes contextual digital twin generation through executable process models. A vaccine logistics automation use case is detailed to illustrate how information regarding the environment can be used for the operation of an autonomous robot carrying out transport preparation tasks. Besides supporting operation, we propose to combine context data retrieved from the system at different points in the logistics process with information regarding instances of executable behavior models as part of the digital twin architecture. The twin can subsequently be used to facilitate system and process monitoring through relevant stakeholders and structure context data in a user-centric fashion.

Review on Gaps and Challenges in Prediction Outdoor Thermal Comfort Indices: Leveraging Industry 4.0 and ‘Knowledge Translation’

“…Apart from providing a better quality of life for city dwellers indoors and outdoors, the digital twin stores geo-spaced information of all services and infrastructure existing in a city, thus allowing one to verify different simulation scenarios before applying any changes to an actual building or open space in a city [31]. Geo-spatial digital twins refer to a digital twin with an additional level of data, i.e., GIS [32].…”

Enriching Socio-Technical Sustainability Intelligence through Sharing Autonomy

“…In our case study, we deal with a CPS, which is a smart logistics system. In [39], we have elaborated the scenario aiming The gateway handles both the process of sharing autonomy, and the operation of a CPS with components sharing their autonomy:…”

“…In our case study, we deal with a CPS, which is a smart logistics system. In [39], we have elaborated the scenario aiming for human intelligibility as required for socio-technical design. In this contribution, the following part of the smart logistics system is considered: A robot has to pack a good into a smart transport box.…”

“…These are a smart shelf with the smart transport boxes in different sizes, a smart shelf with the different sensors, the checkpoint equipped with sensors for the delivery and the shipment of goods, and a workbench for assembling the transport box. In addition, the room itself is equipped with sensors, for example a room air sensor [39].…”