How innovation, efficiency and intelligence across the infrastructure ecosystem is finding a kindred spirit in digital twins. Elaborating on some points from my previous post on building innovation ecosystems, here's a look at how digital twins, which serve as a bridge between the physical and digital domains, rely on historical and real-time data, as well as machine learning models, to provide a virtual representation of physical objects, processes, and systems. Keith Bentley of software developer Bentley Systems describes digital twins as the biggest opportunity for IT value contribution to the physical infrastructure industry since the personal computer, and they're used in a wide variety of industries, lending enterprises insights into maintenance and ways to optimize manufacturing supply chains. By 2026, the global digital twin market is expected to reach $48.2 billion, according to a report by MarketsAndMarkets.com, and the infrastructure and architectural engineering and construction (AEC) industries are integral to this growth. Everything from buildings, bridges, and parking structures, to water and sewer lines, roadways and entire cities are ripe for reaping the value of digital twins.

Elaborating on some points from my previous post on building innovation ecosystems, here's a look at how digital twins, which serve as a bridge between the physical and digital domains, rely on historical and real-time data, as well as machine learning models, to provide a virtual representation of physical objects, processes, and systems. Keith Bentley of software developer Bentley Systems describes digital twins as the biggest opportunity for IT value contribution to the physical infrastructure industry since the personal computer, and they're used in a wide variety of industries, lending enterprises insights into maintenance and ways to optimize manufacturing supply chains. By 2026, the global digital twin market is expected to reach $48.2 billion, according to a report by MarketsAndMarkets.com, and the infrastructure and architectural engineering and construction (AEC) industries are integral to this growth. Everything from buildings, bridges, and parking structures, to water and sewer lines, roadways and entire cities are ripe for reaping the value of digital twins. Here's a look at how digital twins are disrupting the status quo in the infrastructure industry -- and why IT and innovation leaders at infrastructure and AEC enterprises would be wise to capitalize on them.

The construction site of 2050 will be human-free. Robots will work in teams to build complex structures using dynamic new materials. Elements of the build will self-assemble. Drones flying overhead will scan the site constantly, inspecting the work and using the data collected to predict and solve problems before they arise, sending instructions to robotic cranes and diggers and automated builders with no need for human involvement. The role of the human overseer will be to remotely manage multiple projects simultaneously, accessing 3D and 4D visuals and data from the on-site machines, ensuring the build is proceeding to specification. The very few people accessing the site itself will wear robotically enhanced exoskeletons and will use neural-control technology to move and control machinery and other robots on site.

For years, humans have recognized images better than computers. Our error rate has been steadily at 5 percent while computer algorithms were at 30 percent. However, with the rise of computer vision and deep learning, the gap between humans and computers has slowly closed. Within the last two years, researchers have seen computer algorithms show an error rate of less than 5 percent, surpassing humans. These advancements bring significant potential to many different industries. In the infrastructure industry, users have applied reality modeling in countless projects to improve all workflows.