Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

Matias Vierimaa; Mikko Heiskanen; Hans Kuppens; Abm Tariqul Islam; Rehan Khan; Sajid Mohamed

doi:10.1016/j.micpro.2026.105271

Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

Matias Vierimaa^*
, Mikko Heiskanen
, Hans Kuppens
, Abm Tariqul Islam
, Rehan Khan
, Sajid Mohamed

^*Corresponding author for this work

BA5607 Data-driven sustainability

Sioux Technologies B.V.
DigitalTwin Technology GmbH

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

This paper presents results from a web survey conducted during the Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E (IMOCO4.E) CHIPS JU EU project. Our aim is to identify key challenges and benefits of using digital twins and to understand challenges and next steps companies face when developing digital twins. Additionally, we present three digital twins applications from three different European projects: mining machine control from the IMOCO4.E project, precise robotic arm motion control in the construction industry (RobétArmé) EU project and vehicle dynamics control for smart city digital twin (DIDYMOS-XR) project. We conclude that digital twins are primarily used during the design phase to support development of complex systems. The utilization during the operational phase is emerging, and offers a substantial potential, especially when enhancing digital twin capabilities towards modelling the manufacturing process and performance in the field. Furthermore, we summarise the key challenges for digital twins as they transition towards industry 5.0.

Original language	English
Article number	105271
Journal	Microprocessors and Microsystems
Volume	122
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpro.2026.105271
Publication status	Published - 2026
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement Nos. 101058731 (RobéetArmé), and 101092875 (DIDYMOS-XR), and from the ECSEL Joint Undertaking (JU) under Grant Agreement No 101007311 (IMOCO4.E). The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Latvia, Portugal, Germany, Finland, Romania and Switzerland. This work has also received funding from BusinessFinland No 5785/31/2023 (HiFive) project.

Keywords

Digital twins
Industry4.0
Intelligent motion control
Transition towards industry 5.0

Access to Document

10.1016/j.micpro.2026.105271Licence: CC BY

j.micpro.2026.105271Final published version, 5.1 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{a625712e4a474d5096b4e2a903b3b739,

title = "Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view",

abstract = "This paper presents results from a web survey conducted during the Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E (IMOCO4.E) CHIPS JU EU project. Our aim is to identify key challenges and benefits of using digital twins and to understand challenges and next steps companies face when developing digital twins. Additionally, we present three digital twins applications from three different European projects: mining machine control from the IMOCO4.E project, precise robotic arm motion control in the construction industry (Rob{\'e}tArm{\'e}) EU project and vehicle dynamics control for smart city digital twin (DIDYMOS-XR) project. We conclude that digital twins are primarily used during the design phase to support development of complex systems. The utilization during the operational phase is emerging, and offers a substantial potential, especially when enhancing digital twin capabilities towards modelling the manufacturing process and performance in the field. Furthermore, we summarise the key challenges for digital twins as they transition towards industry 5.0.",

keywords = "Digital twins, Industry4.0, Intelligent motion control, Transition towards industry 5.0",

author = "Matias Vierimaa and Mikko Heiskanen and Hans Kuppens and Islam, \{Abm Tariqul\} and Rehan Khan and Sajid Mohamed",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1016/j.micpro.2026.105271",

language = "English",

volume = "122",

journal = "Microprocessors and Microsystems",

issn = "0141-9331",

publisher = "Elsevier",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

AU - Vierimaa, Matias

AU - Heiskanen, Mikko

AU - Kuppens, Hans

AU - Islam, Abm Tariqul

AU - Khan, Rehan

AU - Mohamed, Sajid

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This paper presents results from a web survey conducted during the Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E (IMOCO4.E) CHIPS JU EU project. Our aim is to identify key challenges and benefits of using digital twins and to understand challenges and next steps companies face when developing digital twins. Additionally, we present three digital twins applications from three different European projects: mining machine control from the IMOCO4.E project, precise robotic arm motion control in the construction industry (RobétArmé) EU project and vehicle dynamics control for smart city digital twin (DIDYMOS-XR) project. We conclude that digital twins are primarily used during the design phase to support development of complex systems. The utilization during the operational phase is emerging, and offers a substantial potential, especially when enhancing digital twin capabilities towards modelling the manufacturing process and performance in the field. Furthermore, we summarise the key challenges for digital twins as they transition towards industry 5.0.

AB - This paper presents results from a web survey conducted during the Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E (IMOCO4.E) CHIPS JU EU project. Our aim is to identify key challenges and benefits of using digital twins and to understand challenges and next steps companies face when developing digital twins. Additionally, we present three digital twins applications from three different European projects: mining machine control from the IMOCO4.E project, precise robotic arm motion control in the construction industry (RobétArmé) EU project and vehicle dynamics control for smart city digital twin (DIDYMOS-XR) project. We conclude that digital twins are primarily used during the design phase to support development of complex systems. The utilization during the operational phase is emerging, and offers a substantial potential, especially when enhancing digital twin capabilities towards modelling the manufacturing process and performance in the field. Furthermore, we summarise the key challenges for digital twins as they transition towards industry 5.0.

KW - Digital twins

KW - Industry4.0

KW - Intelligent motion control

KW - Transition towards industry 5.0

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VL - 122

JO - Microprocessors and Microsystems

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Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

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IMOCO4.E: Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E

Cite this

Digital twins benefits, challenges and future prospects from intelligent motion control point of view

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

IMOCO4.E: Intelligent Motion Control under Industry 4.E

Cite this