Reversing the Digital Twin – Smart-Contracting in Hybrid Production

Abstract

Reversing the digital twin concept to control the physical entity with its virtual entity is an emerging field of research to ensure that the physical components of a production system mirror the simulation precisely. We present a novel concept for the integration of blockchain-based smart contracting into the reverse digital twin of a hybrid production. In this approach, a simulation model monitors and controls the physical system to increase transparency and to enable dynamic simulation of scenarios. To further increase transparency in the digital twin, the financial flow of the production processes is integrated by smart contracting. This ensures tamper-proof documentation of processes and can decrease information asymmetry between the multiple stakeholders interacting within a hybrid production. To validate the concept, we conduct a case study with the implemented digital twin to show its capabilities.