UK Digital Twin Centre Launches in Belfast to Boost Industrial Innovation
Key points
The UK has just launched a new Digital Twin Centre in Belfast, marking a significant step forward in the country’s digital transformation and aiming to create an impressive £62 million in economic value over the next ten years.
This initiative, brought to life by Digital Catapult and supported by the Belfast Region City Deal along with Innovate UK, is all about speeding up the adoption of digital twin technology in crucial sectors like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, maritime, and defense.
So, what exactly is a digital twin? It’s essentially a virtual model of a physical object, process, or system that leverages real-time data to simulate, predict, and optimize performance. These models are fantastic for cutting costs, boosting efficiency, and enhancing decision-making, making them invaluable for businesses facing complex challenges.
The Centre boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a 360-degree immersive space and a high-tech lab. During its launch, partners like Artemis Technologies, Spirit AeroSystems, and Thales UK demonstrated how digital twins are already providing valuable operational insights. These real-world examples highlight the potential for innovation across sectors, improving product design, strengthening supply chains, and supporting net-zero objectives.
“The UK Digital Twin Centre marks a major step for Belfast, driving innovation in high-growth sectors like advanced manufacturing,” said the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray. “Through the Belfast Region City Deal and with Digital Catapult’s UK-wide reach, we’re connecting our SMEs to a powerful network, unlocking access to new markets, collaboration opportunities, and cutting-edge technologies.
Helping UK Businesses Embrace Digital Twins
The UK Digital Twin Centre is here to guide businesses in understanding, testing, and implementing digital twin technology, offering hands-on support and access to a nationwide innovation network. Their programs focus on six key technology areas: intelligence, data services, immersive user experience, cyber-physical systems, integration, and security.
The Centre aims to make it easier for UK SMEs to adopt digital twins, ensuring the technology is accessible, interoperable, and impactful, especially for those looking to boost their operations with smart solutions.
“The UK Digital Twin Centre brings together our technical expertise, facilities, and networks to unlock the power of deep technologies,’ said Susan Bowen, CEO of Digital Catapult. “By connecting industries with cutting-edge technology through our programmes, we are enabling businesses to harness the full potential of digital twins-driving operational efficiencies, advancing sustainability, and sharpening the competitive edge of UK businesses.”
Accelerator Programme Now Open
The Centre is excited to announce that its first six-month Accelerator Programme is now open for expressions of interest from tech SMEs and industry leaders throughout the UK. This program will facilitate the co-development of proof-of-concept solutions aimed at key sectors like aerospace, maritime, and defense.
Successful applicants will enjoy:
- 45% grant funding through Growth Through Innovation
- Expert mentorship
- Sector-specific workshops
- Access to advanced simulation and integration tools
The goal is to accelerate the adoption of digital twins through collaborative innovation and the sharing of best practices.
“Seeing real-world use cases coming to life at the UK Digital Twin Centre is a powerful demonstration of how digital twins can deliver tangible advances for UK industry. These cutting edge tools will solve complex business challenges in aerospace, maritime, and defence. It’s a testament to how we are leveraging the strengths of local innovation clusters across the UK, with Belfast bringing together it’s wealth of business and research expertise in digital technologies and advanced manufacturing. In turn this will have a positive impact on economic growth in Northern Ireland and across the UK”
Get Involved
UK tech SMEs and industry organizations eager to discover how digital twins can tackle real-world challenges are encouraged to express their interest in the Accelerator Programme.
To apply or learn more, visit: digicat.org.uk/UK-Digital-Twin-Centre
