Digital Twins & Data Ecosystems: Seminar on Standards & Interoperability

The integrity of digital twins hinges on the accuracy of the data they represent – a principle succinctly captured in a German adage, “Why must a digital twin never lie? Because the data will immediately betray it!” This underscores the critical importance of data interoperability and standardized approaches to digital twin development, particularly within complex industries like semiconductor manufacturing.

A workshop hosted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied and Organizational Psychology (IAO) in Stuttgart, Germany, focuses on the interplay between standardized digital twins and data ecosystems. The seminar, geared towards professionals involved in product development, aims to provide insights into the potential and challenges of combining these technologies. Participants will explore the foundational concepts of data ecosystems, data spaces, and the “Verwaltungsschale” – a manufacturer-independent standard for digital twins.

The workshop isn’t purely theoretical. It will demonstrate content from ongoing research projects, allowing attendees to assess the relevance of presented approaches to their own organizations. A key component is fostering discussion and knowledge exchange between participants and experts regarding product development processes. The event is scheduled to take place in person, offering a collaborative environment for in-depth exploration.

At the heart of the seminar lies the concept of interoperability, achieved through data ecosystems and data spaces. These frameworks aim to facilitate seamless data exchange between different systems, and stakeholders. The “Verwaltungsschale” plays a crucial role in this, acting as a standardized container for digital twin data, independent of the manufacturer. This standardization is vital for ensuring that digital twins from various sources can communicate and collaborate effectively.

The focus on the “Verwaltungsschale” aligns with broader industry efforts to establish common standards for digital twin data. In April 2024, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosted a Digital Twin Data Interoperability Standards Workshop as part of the CHIPS R&D Office initiative. This workshop, and others like it, aim to identify community priorities for semiconductor and microelectronics standards, with the goal of driving innovation and improving supply chain resilience. The outcomes of these workshops will inform standards planning efforts across the semiconductor innovation ecosystem.

The need for interoperability extends beyond the semiconductor industry. A recent report highlighted the importance of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) digital twins for biodiversity, emphasizing the need for integrating data, models, and workflows. This demonstrates a growing recognition that the value of digital twins is maximized when they can connect with and leverage data from diverse sources.

The Fraunhofer IAO seminar specifically targets individuals responsible for product development who are interested in the concepts behind data ecosystems, data spaces, and the “Verwaltungsschale.” The workshop is designed to provide a practical understanding of these technologies and their potential applications. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, including Falk Deser and Nikolas Zimmermann from the Fraunhofer IAO’s Digital Engineering team, to discuss technical implementation and software applications.

The broader context of digital twin adoption reveals a shift towards connected infrastructure and AI-powered design. Bentley Systems’ YII 2025 event, for example, showcased the integration of digital twins with artificial intelligence to enhance design processes. This trend suggests that digital twins are evolving from static representations of physical assets to dynamic, intelligent systems capable of driving innovation and optimization.

The development of robust data interoperability standards is crucial for realizing the full potential of digital twins. The NIST workshops and initiatives like the Fraunhofer IAO seminar demonstrate a growing commitment to addressing the challenges of data exchange and collaboration. The ability to connect multiple systems and create real-time streaming data ecosystems, as highlighted by the Digital Twin Consortium, is essential for unlocking the transformative power of digital twin technology. The emphasis on standards, like the “Verwaltungsschale”, is a key step towards ensuring that digital twins can deliver accurate, reliable, and actionable insights.

The seminar’s focus on the “Verwaltungsschale” as a manufacturer-independent standard is particularly noteworthy. This approach promotes open data exchange and reduces vendor lock-in, fostering a more collaborative and innovative ecosystem. By providing a common framework for digital twin data, the “Verwaltungsschale” enables seamless integration and interoperability across different systems and organizations.

the success of digital twin initiatives depends on the ability to trust the data they contain. As the German adage suggests, a digital twin’s credibility is directly tied to the accuracy and reliability of its underlying data. By prioritizing data interoperability and standardization, the industry is laying the foundation for a future where digital twins can drive significant advancements in product development, manufacturing, and beyond.