US Government Invests in Digital Twins, Acknowledging the Potential of Metaverses

Imagine being able to create an exact copy of an object on a computer. You can study it, run different tests, simulate different situations – all without having to create a physical prototype. This is exactly what digital twins do.

Digital twins as the foundation of metaverses

Essentially, metaverses are enhanced and enhanced digital twins of the real world. To create a convincing and functional metaverse, a huge number of objects must be modeled in detail and accurately, from simple objects to entire buildings and cities. And this is where digital copying technologies come to the rescue.

The experience gained in creating digital twins for chip production can be successfully applied to the development of metaverses. After all, in essence these are similar tasks – creating exact virtual copies of real objects. Institutes like CHIPS Manufacturing USA can become centers of excellence not only for the semiconductor industry, but also for metaverse developers.

Virtual reality can provide a powerful impetus to the development of digital twin technologies. However, creating detailed and realistic virtual worlds will require improving modeling algorithms, optimizing work with big data, and integrating with virtual and augmented reality technologies.

But all these challenges open up new opportunities for research and innovation in the field of digital twins. Companies and institutions working on this technology will find new markets for their developments in the metaverses.

What are digital twins and why they are needed

Digital twins and metaverses go hand in hand and create synergies. Achievements in one area stimulate progress in another, and vice versa. This merger opens up new opportunities not only for chip manufacturing, but also for many other industries.

Statistics show that the metaverse is most popular among young people, with the 10-20 and 21-35 categories being more dominant than the others.

Imagine a metaverse where engineers from different countries work together to design new chips, using digital twins as a common platform. Or a virtual factory, where new production processes will be tested without risk to real equipment. The potential applications of these technologies are truly limitless.

The benefits of using digital twins are obvious. First, it saves time and money by not having to create real prototypes for each test. Secondly, digital models will make it possible to study the behavior of an object in detail, which will help optimize production processes. Finally, digital twins integrate easily with other digital systems, opening up new opportunities for data analytics and automation.

Tim Cook: many still cannot explain what metaverses are

Apple’s CEO is confident that people are still far from the metaverse and if you ask them what it is, only a small part of respondents will be able to answer something.

“It [‘metaverse’, – editorial note] should be seen as the next stage of the Internet, and several companies, including Meta and Razer, have invested in its creation. But will people want to spend large amounts of time in virtual reality?” Cook expressed skepticism about the idea of ​​virtual reality.

However, there are rumors that Apple is working on a new device that could be called Apple Extended Reality (XR). The exact details and technology used in this product are not yet known, but it is speculated that it could be augmented reality (AR) glasses or a gadget that combines elements of virtual and augmented reality.

Given Apple’s strategy, it is likely that this new product will be closely integrated with the company’s existing ecosystem of devices and services, such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.

Vladimir Okhotnikov: virtual reality is closer than we think

Let’s draw parallels with how the iPhone revolutionized the perception of mobile phones or how Tesla changed the way we think about speed. In the same way, alternative reality and work in virtual worlds will gradually become a familiar part of our lives.

“Anyone will be able to use VR glasses as a regular tool in their arsenal, along with screwdrivers and side cutters. Let’s say this will allow you to receive instant support and advice from remote experts right in the process of working or studying,” Vladimir Okhotnikov, an expert in the field of virtual reality, blockchain evangelist and analyst, speaks about the prospects of virtual reality.

Imagine that an engineer working…

SEC

, should not interfere with this. The regulator has been trying to complicate everything lately.

Digital twins and metaverses are changing the industry rules

Many companies have already successfully used this approach in the production of microcircuits. For example, GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturing company, uses them to improve the lithography process, and Samsung Electronics uses them to optimize chip assembly. The results are impressive: increased yield, reduced cycle times and overall increased efficiency.

But as it turned out, this was not enough. Due to growing demand, a special institute, CHIPS Manufacturing USA, is being created to accelerate the introduction of digital twins in chip production in the United States. The government is allocating $285 million for this project, which underscores its importance to the industry.

As

stated

by the US Department of Commerce, the institute will deal with a wide range of tasks related to the development and application of digital twins. This includes scientific research, the creation of platforms for developing and testing technologies, the implementation of demonstration projects, and the training of specialists. Close cooperation is planned with universities, research centers and manufacturing companies throughout the country.

According to CHIPS Director Dr. Eric Forsythe and Associate Director Michael McKittrick, digital twins have enormous transformative potential:

“They [‘digital twins’, – editorial note] allow us to develop new products faster and cheaper, improve the quality and yield of suitable products, and adapt to changing market requirements.”

But this is just the beginning. Combining digital twins with other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (RWA) opens up some truly fantastic opportunities.

Imagine “smart” factories that can independently optimize production processes, predict and prevent equipment breakdowns, and autonomously adapt to changes.

Experts predict that by 2030, the use of digital twins in manufacturing will become ubiquitous. This will bring the industry to a fundamentally new level of efficiency and competitiveness.

According to Secretary of Commerce Gene Raimondo, digital twins are not just another fashion trend, but a powerful tool that can fundamentally change the approach to manufacturing. The creation of CHIPS Manufacturing USA is an important step towards widespread adoption of this technology and strengthening the US position in the global semiconductor industry.

Conclusion

Digital twins and metaverses are two sides of the same coin, two interconnected directions in the development of digital technologies. Their synergy creates new opportunities for industry, science and society as a whole.

Investing in the development of these technologies, such as the creation of CHIPS Manufacturing USA, is an investment in the future. A future in which the virtual and the real are closely intertwined, complementing and reinforcing each other. A future in which digital twins will become an integral part of not only chip production, but also many other areas of our lives.

We are on…
Vladimir Okhotnikov’s Press Center

https://vladimirokhotnikov.com/