Digital twin solutions for state-aware, dynamic task allocation in flexible cyber-physical production systems

While experiencing the transition from the fourth towards the fifth industrial revolution, Cyber-Physical Production Systems are proving their potential in enhancing production effectiveness and efficiency. The core characteristics of Cyber-Physical Production Systems suggest great chances for further exploitation of this production paradigm: the generation of data and its exchange among deeply interconnected entities paves the way for the design of advanced use cases. This work aims at considering Digital Twin applications to rethink the fundamental control logic of production systems, by virtualizing and redistributing responsibilities among physical and digital entities. This foresees an integrated and bidirectional data flow that allows the physical and digital counterparts to act as one, enabling system’s self-awareness and, in turn, self-optimization. Following the presentation of the technical aspects, key benefit, open challenges, and limitations are thoroughly reported.