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A Digital Twin is a digital replica of a building that begins in design, evolves during construction, and stays alive throughout its operation. Unlike traditional models, it doesn’t stop at the design stage. Fed by IoT sensors tracking energy, air quality, vibration, or occupancy, it mirrors the real asset in real time. The concept goes beyond fragmented sensors — it’s about integrating all devices and systems, correlating data continuously, and turning it into insight. The result is a “living model” that owners, building managers, and designers can use to monitor performance, predict issues, and optimize decisions. Think of it like wearables for buildings. An Oura Ring or a continuous glucose monitor tracks your health and warns of risks before they become serious. IoT devices do the same for buildings — measuring energy, air quality, vibration, light levels, or water leaks to detect inefficiencies and flag maintenance needs. Digital Twins unify these data flows, creating a dynamic model that links daily operations with long-term design decisions. While BIM revolutionized design by coordinating disciplines in a rich 3D model, Digital Twins take the next step. By connecting the model to live data streams, they create an intelligent mirror of the asset throughout its lifecycle. That feedback loop allows architects and engineers to design future projects based on proven performance, not just assumptions. Case Study – WalmartIn partnership with Willow, the company rolled out Digital Twin technology across its portfolio. In just six months, Walmart identified 842 potential failures across 20 stores, cut critical downtime costs by 20%, and saved $1.4 million. For the world’s largest retailer, with more than 4,700 U.S. stores and 300 supply chain assets, scale is everything — and Digital Twins have become the radar that keeps operations proactive instead of reactive. |