From Data to Value: Introducing an NFT-Powered Framework for Data Exchange of Digital Twins in the AEC Industry

Abstract

Digital Twins (DTs) have recently drawn considerable attention in the AEC industry and academia. Despite their applications, most models typically represent an isolated DT without considering how they can connect to other DTs, where they can share data. Blockchain-based solutions, and specifically Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), have provided various features that can be seen as a promising solution to build the lost bridge for data sharing between different stakeholders in DTs. This study capitalizes the advantages of NFTs to propose a framework for DT knowledge sharing. This framework is followed by providing future prospects of data management in the DT field. Our solution enables the ownership of various DT components, leading to the establishment of a secure data marketplace within the context of the AEC virtual world. This study can also serve as a fundamental source for further investigation by researchers and practitioners to develop an interoperable built Metaverse, where all DTs, in all Levels of Details, can exchange knowledge.