In an exclusive interview with TimesTech, Sudarshan Mogasale, CEO of Dassault Systèmes Lab India, discusses the transformative potential of Virtual Twin technology. Unlike simple digitization, Virtual Twins offer comprehensive simulations that improve planning, reduce costs, and enhance policy implementation across sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability, empowering data-driven decision-making and fostering innovation.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Can you explain what is Virtual Twin technology and how it is different from digitization?
Sudarshan: Digitization is a simple process of creating digital copies of physical items, whether a paper document, process, or product. For example: Scanning a physical document and creating digital copy of it using OCR, or creating a process flow /approvals cycle in a system, or creating CAD representation of a physical model. This is also sometimes referred to as the digital twin.
Virtual twin is a much bigger concept than digital twins. It encompasses the behavior of the product, the process of making it, the experience of the product in the user’s hand, and the environmental impact/interaction with the product. It is the virtual representation of the real-world entity, process, or system. For ex: When we discuss about virtual twin of car, it’s not just a model of the car in digital form, it’s about its behavior, experience, method of making & how it runs on the road and interacts with cities! When we talk of virtual twin of city, it’s the complete system and its behavior!
TimesTech: How can Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin technology reduce costs and improve planning in public sector projects?
Sudarshan: Public sector projects often overlook the long-term consequences, leading to problems later on due to factors like extreme weather. Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin technology tackles this by creating a digital replica of the project. Virtual twin helps by simulating the project’s entire lifespan and identifying potential issues before construction even starts. This proactive approach saves money by minimizing the need for costly rework and repairs down the road. Simulations of climate events such as Flood, Earth quake will save the lives and infrastructure.
Virtual twins also go beyond initial construction. It empowers data-driven decision-making by allowing policymakers to test different scenarios. This lets them choose the most sustainable and cost-effective options, ensuring public funds are spent wisely. Furthermore, virtual twins promote efficiency by identifying potential conflicts between projects early in the planning stage. Imagine a new building blocking existing utility lines. Additionally, standardized results can be presented with project proposals using virtual twins, streamlining the approval process for faster project implementation.
But the benefits extend even further. Virtual twin technology allows for long-term planning and infrastructure management. By simulating the impact of future events like climate change, governments can proactively address potential problems and ensure the project’s longevity. This has become essential now, because of routine adverse climate changes impacting cities / infrastructure & citizen.
TimesTech: How can advanced technologies like virtual twin solutions improve policy implementation in healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability?
Sudarshan: Virtual twins allow policymakers to analyze real-world data and predict the impact of various policy decisions. Policymakers can use this virtual twin to assess the potential impact of a new construction project on traffic flow, resource usage, or even the environment. This data-driven approach leads to more informed and effective policies.
Virtual twins can also simplify the approval process for infrastructure projects. By using a virtual twin, potential conflicts between projects, like new buildings blocking existing utilities, can be identified and addressed before construction even begins. This eliminates delays and wasted resources during implementation.
Virtual twin technology allows for the assessment of a project’s environmental impact throughout its entire lifecycle, not just during construction. This means policymakers can consider the long-term impact of a project on factors like water usage, energy consumption, and climate change. Virtual twins can help ensure that policies promote sustainable development practices.
In healthcare, virtual twins can be used to create personalized treatment plans for patients. By analyzing a patient’s medical data, a virtual twin can help predict how they might respond to different medications or therapies. This personalized approach to medicine can improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs.
Virtual twins can also accelerate the process of drug discovery. By simulating the effects of potential new drugs on virtual models, scientists can identify promising candidates more quickly and efficiently. This can lead to the development of new treatments for diseases faster and at a lower cost.
TimesTech: What specific initiatives would you like to see from the government to foster innovation and entrepreneurship?
Sudarshan: India has a strong digital base with UPI and India Stack, but the government should also prioritize building a nationwide virtual twin infrastructure. This could turn tables for innovation and entrepreneurship. Imagine a digital replica of anything, from a product to an entire city. This ‘twin’ includes data on how it functions, is made, and even how long it lasts. For cities, this means virtually simulating designs before building, optimizing traffic flow, and ensuring sustainability – a huge leap forward. It would reduce costs, reduce rework, improve quality of life, and promote sustainability. Furthermore, this initiative would create a platform for businesses to develop new applications and encourage data-driven decision-making. By prioritising a national virtual twin infrastructure, the government can empower innovation and entrepreneurship, ultimately leading India towards a brighter future.
TimesTech: How can Dassault Systèmes India support the government’s efforts to create a thriving ecosystem for technology startups?
Sudarshan: Currently, infrastructure projects focus solely on the design and construction phases, neglecting the crucial operational lifespan. This traditional approach leads to unforeseen issues down the line due to a lack of considering extreme conditions or environmental factors. Dassault Systèmes India’s virtual twin technology can empower both the government and tech startups. By mandating virtual twin analysis for infrastructure projects, the government can ensure projects are designed to withstand future challenges and environmental changes.
Dassault Systèmes India can collaborate to establish standardized results, making approvals smoother. This creates a launchpad for startups. The growing need for virtual twins will fuel innovation in areas like analysing infrastructure challenges and optimizing maintenance. Additionally, the vast amount of data generated will be a goldmine for startups developing data-driven decision-making tools for infrastructure projects.
TimesTech: What measures does Dassault Systèmes recommend to ensure access to technology-driven policy solutions across diverse socio-economic segments?
Sudarshan: Virtual twin technologies can reduce the time and resources needed for human trials by using digital replicas to conduct initial drug trials. This faster and potentially less expensive process could lead to quicker development of life-saving treatments, making them more accessible to all. The use of virtual twins by cities like Singapore and Hong Kong showcases a scalable approach to optimizing operations. Dassault Systèmes aims to focus on solutions that can be adapted to different socio-economic contexts and ensure the wider applicability of their technology.
Partnerships with governments and NGOs can play a crucial role in identifying priority areas and tailoring solutions for diverse populations. These collaborations can help bridge the gap and ensure that even under-resourced communities benefit from these technologies. This could provide a valuable entry point for these communities to leverage the power of virtual twins in policymaking. Training and capacity-building programs can empower local communities to understand and utilize virtual twin technology. This could involve training policymakers, educators, and even citizens on how to leverage these tools to address their specific needs.
