Creating Cities of the Future with Digital Twin Technology
Figure 2: Itron's "Three Degrees" Mixed Reality Digital Twin Demonstration
Rather than a “venue, floor, area” ontology,
the general ontological model that describes
the relationship between the various
elements in a smart city context features a
regional hierarchy and draw from state,
district and utility service area maps, to
name but a few sources. A commercial
digital twin platform concept necessarily
includes third-party data integrations with
geospatial locations of various city
infrastructure elements such as streetlights,
traffic lights, DERs and fresh and wastewater
pumps. The digital twin platform ingests
information such as energy consumption,
weather information and other sensor
information from utility sources as well
third-party systems.
mixed-reality element to create a powerful
community engagement tool. For example,
by combining mixed reality and digital twin
technology, a citizen can virtually install
infrastructure or alter building materials in a
simulated environment that mirrors a real
neighborhood. Successfully engaging a
diverse audience is in great part achieved
due to the use of a mixed reality user
interface and encouraged engagement or
“gamify” consumer incentive programs.
This approach enables city leaders to
conduct community outreach, education
and consensus-building. The persuasive
value of show and tell can be realized when
city officials are able to bring the digital twin
technology to the neighborhoods that will be
impacted by the proposed changes. Using
these tools, city officials can address both
known and hypothetical concerns and
resolve potential community objections by
using data and technology to demonstrate
real outcomes and public benefits. Whether
citizens are concerned about new
infrastructure, additional taxpayer burden
or privacy concerns, the combined use of
mixed reality and digital twin technology
allows a citizen to virtually experience the
While the sheer volume of data may seem
overwhelming,
a
neighborhood-by-
neighborhood approach to modeling and
deploying a digital twin concept serves to
reduce the complexity and reinforces a
hyperlocal approach to neighborhood goals
and data-driven results.
Another benefit of using a digital twin
approach in the context of a smart city is the
ability to combine the platform with a
IIC Journal of Innovation
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