- In order to understand
the arrival of new ideas and solutions,
it's valuable to have a sense
of the environment in which they emerge.
This context can help with our broader understanding
of the role, value, and impact of new solutions.
After all, nothing really happens in a vacuum.
Circumstances and conditions almost always matter.
The digital twin concept is gaining momentum
at a time of significant global transformation.
I argue that this growing revolution,
a Fourth Industrial Revolution,
will be one of the most, if not the most,
consequential set of changes in our human experience so far.
So, what exactly is this Fourth Industrial Revolution,
and what does it have to do with digital twins?
We've already lived through three major
industrial revolutions that have changed the world.
The first revolution, which started about 300 years ago,
began the transition from a largely agrarian economy
to an industrial one,
which included the introduction of steam power
and the use of steel.
It resulted in the beginning of the development
of mass production, automation, dense urbanization,
and easier movement of people and goods over long distances.
The second revolution introduced our ability
to leverage electricity,
which in turn led to the use of telecommunications,
and in particular, the telephone.
Electricity brought the light bulbs
to homes, factories, and cities.
This revolution led to automobiles and airplanes.
Finally, the third revolution,
still underway and continuing to define our current times,
has been the advent of the Information Age.
Powered by advanced telecommunications,
microchips, and the Internet,
the world has become hyper-connected
and increasingly digital.
Old industries have been destroyed or reinvented,
and many new game-changing products and services
have been introduced.
In each of these revolutions,
the world prior to them looked different
than the world after them.
Many nations and people prospered,
but sadly, many also lost out.
By definition, revolutions are dramatic
and highly disruptive.
Now, as we enter the first decades of the 21st century,
a fourth revolution is upon us.
It is the culmination of all the revolutions
that have come before it.
It's a convergence of the digital, physical,
and biological realms.
In the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
new innovation has greater scope, impact,
and speed to market.
It is defined by new expectations,
far-reaching technological innovation,
and disruption at a moment's notice.
As one example,
remarkable automation and artificial intelligence
will not only bring higher-quality,
lower-cost products and services to market,
but may also displace millions of workers
and change the nature of work.
It's in this context that organizations
are placing a greater emphasis
on how we design, build, and support the world around us,
including all the items we use and consume.
A transformation is happening in how things
are being designed and built that is called Industry 4.0.
It's a critical component
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As technological capabilities,
particularly in design, manufacturing,
and data analytics have grown
and costs have continued to drop,
we now have better tools to build and support results
that meet and exceed 21st century market expectations.
A digital twin able to replicate its physical counterpart
and thus provide enormous value,
as we'll see throughout this course,
is emblematic of new solutions,
such as Internet of Things, or IOT devices,
available to collect data and provide new capabilities
for industrialists, entrepreneurs, urban planners,
manufacturers, and many other types of providers.
The qualities and context
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
and particularly Industry 4.0,
is the environment in which digital twins
will prosper and contribute,
and it's why their value is so essential.