Belfast to spearhead UK's digital revolution with £37m Digital Twin Centre
Aim is to foster innovation across engineering sectors
UK government has unveils a significant investment in its digital future with the announcement of a brand new £37.6 million National Digital Twin Centre to be established in Belfast.
This state-of-the-art facility, led by the government-backed innovation agency Digital Catapult, promises to not only accelerate the adoption of digital twins but also bridge the gap between various engineering disciplines.
Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical objects or systems, constantly updated with real-time data to create a dynamic digital representation. They offer a powerful tool for engineers, allowing for everything from rapid prototyping to optimising performance.
The Twin Centre, slated to open later this year, aims to be a hub for open innovation. It will provide companies, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations, with access to cutting-edge technologies that create digital twins.
The goal is to reduce the cost associated with developing a digital twin and making it a more accessible option for businesses. Importantly, the Centre will also focus on developing a skilled workforce to fully use this transformative technology.
"Today's announcement is a pivotal moment in realising the real-world value of digital twins for the UK," said centre director Deborah Colville.
"The centre will give businesses across the UK access to the expertise, technology and resources necessary to accelerate the adoption of digital twins to reduce design and manufacturing costs, help meet net zero targets and drive competitive advantage globally."
Industry heavyweights like Thales UK, Spirit AeroSystems, and Artemis Technologies have joined forces with Innovate UK and the Belfast Region City Deal to make the Centre a reality. These partners will spearhead the development of six initial use cases showcasing the potential of digital twins in their respective fields.
The Centre will use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, enabling engineers to visualise digital twins in immersive ways.
Additionally, Digital Catapult plans to leverage its expertise in AI to integrate techniques that could further enhance analysis and optimisation of digital twins.
The Centre will serve as a collaborative hub, bringing together industry leaders, academic institutions, and the public sector. This collaborative environment will nurture cross-sector innovation and accelerate breakthroughs in digital twin technology. It will also contribute 230 new positions in the UK's manufacturing sector and will generate £61 million for the Northern Irish economy by 2033.
The Belfast Region City Deal's £15 million investment reflects the region's commitment to becoming a leader in innovation and digital prowess.
The UK is not alone in recognising the potential of digital twins. Similar centres have already been established across Europe. The US government has allocated $200 million under its CHIPS Act to develop a dedicated digital twin centre for the manufacturing sector.