Automating Digital Twins Development in Industry 4.0

Digital twins are advanced software systems that provide significant benefits across various applications (e.g., monitoring, simulation, what-if scenarios...), particularly within the framework of Industry 4.0. However, developing digital twins is a complex, time-consuming, and resource-intensive process. I propose a novel approach to automate the development of digital twins leveraging pre-existing design models of their physical counterparts. Essential challenges that must be overcome to realize this vision are identified and discussed, which is crucial for the successful implementation of the vision. This approach aims to foster advancements in the use of digital twins across different industrial sectors and establish a foundation for ongoing research and development in this field.