From Virtual Reality to Digital Twins: The Long and Winding Road!

Considered an evolution of Virtual Reality systems, Digital Twins, which integrate technologies like Mixed Reality, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Big Data, and Cloud Computing, and it is proving its potential across various domains. These technologies facilitate the creation of accurate simulations of real objects, processes, and systems based on real-time data. This capability supports a wide range of applications, including hypothesis testing, design and prototyping, and process optimization. As a result, Digital Twins are highly suitable for applications in diverse areas. This paper will discuss its types, applications and forecast future directions for research and development, as well as a supporting architecture.