Digital Twins: A Critical Perspective and Research Trends

This article critically evaluates the current status and future research trends of Digital Twins (DTs) in the manufacturing industry. Despite extensive academic publications and significant interest in practical applications driven by initiatives like Industry 4.0 and 5.0, the actual industrial implementation of DTs remains limited. The gap mainly stems from manufacturing companies being overwhelmed by the complexity of DTs, coupled with insufficient methodological support from academia. This article scrutinises the underlying challenges in developing and implementing DTs, emphasising the need to address not only technical barriers but also organisational, methodological, and human factors. By drawing on extensive research experience and industry insights, the paper highlights critical aspects that need further addressing to enhance the practical use of DTs. It advocates for a redirection of research efforts towards core aspects of DTs, away from the euphoric trend fuelled by the available funding in academia and industry. This reflective approach aims to realign the development and implementation of DTs with the actual needs of the industry, focusing on a realistic perspective on the challenges faced and providing impulses for targeted research and development.