How Digital Twins Are Reinventing Innovation

From faster and cheaper drug trials to fully "conscious" cities, digital replicas are changing the face and pace of innovation. This article is part of an MIT SMR initiative exploring how technology is reshaping the practice of management. Last year the world held its breath as Notre Dame Cathedral stood shrouded in flames. After the fire was extinguished, and it was revealed that the iconic cathedral was not lost, the hard work of restoration began. Until very recently, that process would have begun with a search through dusty archival blueprints to guide the intricate repair works. But in the age of the digital twin, engineers and architects were able to consult a digital model of the French cathedral -- one far more detailed and interactive than any blueprint -- which allowed them to stay true to the original structure while also incorporating new innovations in design and materials.