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Digital Twins: A New Model for Urban Governance

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BEIJING, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – By China Report ASEAN

A vivid three-dimensional rendering of a bridge appeared on the intelligent monitor and evaluation platform at Beijing Yunlu Technology Co., Ltd., pointing to key factors of bridge health. Real-time status, events, transportation navigation, and traffic conditions were all tracked on the screen.

Numerous sensors installed on bridge track every minor dynamic change on the bridge surface and perform digital analysis, according to Gao Fengyong, a regional chief with the tech firm. When a large vehicle approaches, the system checks its weight and produces an early warning if the vehicle and its load is heavier than the bridge was designed to support. The vehicle is then immediately intercepted from crossing the bridge as an emergency response. The screen of the monitor platform shows a digital twin replica of the bridge.

A key method to realize bidirectional mapping and dynamic interaction between virtual and reality, the digital twin (DT) technology provides another effective approach for observing, understanding, controlling, and transforming the physical world. It was originally designed to improve local public services, but has since been more widely used to develop tailored applications for different scenarios involving urban planning and management, demonstrating enormous potential for solving problems in urban governance.

Lifecycle Management

A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object, person, or system powered by utilizing physical models, sensor updates, operating history, and other data, which reflects the whole life cycle of the corresponding physical entities in the virtual space.

The earliest application of DT technology was in the 1970s when NASA engineers used simulations of a space vehicle to monitor and predict the performance of the real vehicle and assist ground command to make the best decisions to ensure safe flight and prolonged operational life of the vehicle. In 2003, Professor Michael Grieves at the University of Michigan first introduced the concept of DT by proposing an “Information Mirroring Model,” a vision in the context of product lifecycle management consisting of three components: real space, virtual space, and data flow connection between the two. Since then, DT technology has been developed and applied in aerospace, industrial manufacturing, and other fields.

“Simply put, a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical entity,” said Yang Tao, an associate professor at the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University. “Supported by constantly-updated algorithms using real-time information from the virtual model synchronized with the corresponding physical system, more accurate predictions and decisions can be delivered for future operation and improvement of the physical entity.”

DT technology covers every link of the entire product life cycle from design to development, manufacturing, maintenance, and even recycling, enabling product information to remain consistent even when changes occur in any of the links. Not only can it help companies develop better products, it can also help users use the product in an optimal way.

In recent years, the rise of the meta-universe and emergence of the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) have fueled the DT market, with the technology widely available in areas such as urban management, industrial manufacturing, water conservancy, and security and emergency response.

Statistics from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) showed that the global digital twin market size was valued at US$7.7 billion in 2022, year-on-year growth of 57.1 percent, and is expected to reach US$30.5 billion by 2025. The figure in China was 10.4 billion yuan (US$1.45 billion) in 2022, year-on-year growth of 35 percent, and is poised to soar to 37.5 billion yuan (US$5.2 billion) by 2025.

More and more businesses, investors, and governmental agencies are considering how to leverage the emerging technology to address public service challenges and improve urban governance. Qiu Baoxing, IEAS (International Eurasian Academy of Sciences) Academician and former vice minister of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, remarked at the 12th World Geospatial Developers Conference (WGDC 2023) that the explosion of the meta-universe in 2022 propelled the transition of DT from local adoption to applications in urban scenarios.

Also at WGDC 2023, Li Deren, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Wuhan University, said that compared to the product life cycle in industrial manufacturing, a digital city has an extended and more beneficial life cycle thanks to its deep learning capabilities, virtual-reality integration, and iterative evolution. The pinnacle of digital city development is smart cities based on digital twins, he asserted.

Virtual-Reality Mapping to Virtual-Reality Linkage

China first introduced the concept of a “digital twin city” in 2018 when a master plan for the development of Xiongan New Area was formulated that required synchronized planning and construction of both a digital and physical New Area with an aim for a world-class digital city with deep learning capabilities.

As project leader for Xiongan digital planning and construction based on City Information Modelling (CIM), Yang Tao considers the project an unprecedented challenge that requires trial and error. Unlike conventional model and experience-based plans, he explained, this project focuses on tackling urban issues such as urban planning, energy consumption management, waste treatment, and traffic congestion by recording and monitoring the whole process of construction of Xiongan New Area.

In transportation construction, for example, they established the world’s first large-scale regional-level digital road network to simulate real-world scenarios. The project can collect all kinds of data on the roads including pedestrians, vehicles, traffic lights, buildings, weather, and environment and detect traffic status under all kinds of weather conditions around the clock, thus providing diverse services for businesses, the government, and the public such as road operation and maintenance, emergency management, and autonomous driving tests.

Xiongan New Area’s CIM platform set the standard for subsequent digital twin city planning and construction in other parts of the country. In 2022, China rolled out a plan to facilitate development of the digital economy in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), calling for building digital twin cities with well-established city information modeling platforms and improved operation and management service platforms. To this end, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Housing and Construction, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water Resources, and other relevant authorities have scaled up policy support for digital twin technology development, talent, and application to promote the construction of digital twin cities.

CAICT counted 30 new enterprises involved in digital twin city construction in China every year before 2014 and between 50 and 60 from 2015 to 2018, but the number skyrocketed to over 100 from 2019 to 2021, suggesting a continuously growing market with huge potential.

DT technology is more than simply digitalizing and visualizing physical assets. The core goal is to convert data resources into data capital by linking the virtual and physical worlds while optimizing the parameters and sharing information with all parties involved in the interaction process, Yang Tao illustrated.

According to Gao Fengyong, the digital urban flood forecasting platform developed by Yunlu Technology achieved near real-time simulation of the urban flood process involving rainfall, ground water accumulation, and pipeline drainage, allowing it to provide decision-making support and flood prevention and response guidance for government authorities through simulated pre-flood analysis, real-time early warning, and post-flood summary and analysis. Last summer, the platform had already contributed to flood control in Beijing, Ningbo, Jinan, and other cities.

“Alongside visualization and simulation, a digital twin system is also intended to serve the physical entity through a digital replica to enhance the efficiency of physical production,” Gao said. By collecting real-world information on the Internet of Things for the virtual world before analysis and simulation, the system can predict risks and achieve real-time mobilization of resources, offering scientific support for decision-making in a timely manner.

However, excessive pursuit of digital technology and AI could lead to less focus on practical applications, resulting in insufficient integration of business rules and geometric models. “Application matters most, but 80 percent of digital twins are useless,” Qiu Baoxing revealed, noting that for DT technology, application scenarios including smart governance, urban construction management, general urban management, and emergency management are of paramount importance.

Yang Tao echoes that view. “A fancy model does not necessarily work well,” he said. Digital twin cities must be tailored to solve specific problems in different scenarios, he added, and optimization of urban governance cannot rely solely on technological improvements, but requires corresponding changes made in the objects and systems served or affected, so that social and technical systems will interact with each other and evolve together.

Collaborative Governance Model

CAICT’s Digital Twin City Research Report (2022) designated the period 2020-2030 as a stage of fast growth for China’s digital twin industry during which both the DT market and technology are developing in full swing.

However, cities represent a system far more complex than a space vehicle, an industrial product, or a building. They involve social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors as well as many other aspects. Humans are the main component of a city, and their different goals and behaviors can lead to various uncertainties in the process of urban governance. Application scenarios for digital twins are complex, involving multiple factors and requiring multi-sectoral collaboration. Currently, one major challenge faced by all fields is a lack of collaboration among the government, high-tech firms, and relevant entities.

In 2015, Singapore launched the “Virtual Singapore” project to build a 1:1 scale model of 3D Singapore. Alongside improving relevant policies and regulations, the city-state placed an emphasis on enhancing public participation in digital governance, encouraging citizens to transform from consumers of smart city services to creators and contributors. The government rolled out incentives for the market to provide cutting-edge technology, effective productivity, and adequate financial support to inspire all parties to collaborate while enabling their full potential. By embedding technology in policies, products, and services, Singapore’s model of collaborative digital governance reshaped the value chains for the government, businesses, and the public and improved urban governance.

In contrast, DT technology is still in its early stages of development in most other ASEAN countries. According to Shi Le from the International Logistics Division of JD Logistics, ASEAN countries vary in the development of DT technology despite the rising trend of global digitalization as well as strong domestic demand for digital management in each country. Seeking to tackle the issue, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Cooperation Work Plan 2023-2027 pledged to “enhance cooperation on smart and sustainable cities development in the region through ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) and ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy (ASUS).”

DT technology represents a new model of development driving profound changes in industries. Yang Tao suggested ASEAN countries enhance collaboration, strengthen top-level design, promote institutional innovation, and gradually integrate digital twins into national overall development by starting from transportation infrastructure, green energy, and integration of industrial and supply chains.

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SOURCE China Report ASEAN

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Nearly 50% of Young People Resolve to Quit Nicotine in 2025

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EX Program by Truth Initiative Offers a Proven Path to Success

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Almost half (48%) of young people aged 18-24 are making quitting nicotine a priority for their 2025 New Year’s resolutions, according to new data from Truth Initiative® – the nation’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empowering quitting for all.

 

This survey data* highlights a growing desire to break free from nicotine addiction and the urgent need for effective resources for 18- to 24-year-olds, among whom e-cigarette use is prevalent and dual use of cigarettes is a growing concern. For many, the journey to quit can feel daunting, especially for the scores of young people who think quitting means going “cold turkey” without a network of support. To meet this need, Truth Initiative is offering resources to help their resolutions stick and has launched Outsmart Nicotine, a new campaign designed to introduce young people to EX® Program, a comprehensive quitting resource developed in partnership with Mayo Clinic in 2008.

Empowering Young People with Tools and Encouragement Through EX Program

EX Program is a free cessation resource tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by young people. It offers proven, evidence-based tools designed to support quitting through personalized quit plans, interactive text messages, and 24/7 access to the nation’s most established online quit community. A randomized clinical trial among young adults published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that EX Program text message support can increase the odds of quitting by up to 40%, making EX Program one of the most effective resources for tackling nicotine addiction. These tools have helped millions quit nicotine over nearly two decades, solidifying EX Program as one of the most effective cessation resources available.

Redefining Quitter’s Day: Introducing “You Got This Day” as Part of the Outsmart Nicotine Campaign

Through the Outsmart Nicotine campaign, Truth Initiative is driving awareness of these tools with a series of ads that celebrate the small, everyday victories that lead to quitting nicotine for good. The campaign’s launch ad, “You Got This,” creates an uplifting tone with the iconic track “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest to inspire young people to take that first step toward a nicotine-free life.

“Quitting nicotine is hard, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely or impossible journey,” said Kathy Crosby, CEO and President of Truth Initiative. “With Outsmart Nicotine and the proven-effective EX Program, we’re showing young people that freedom from addiction is possible and within reach– and giving them the tools to quit smarter, not harder.”

Traditionally known as Quitter’s Day, the second Friday in January – January 10th in 2025 – marks the time of year when many people abandon their new year’s resolutions. Giving it a fresh perspective, Truth Initiative is renaming it “You Got This Day” to motivate young people to push through challenges and keep working toward their quit goals. The campaign reframes this day as a moment of empowerment, reminding young adults that quitting is difficult, but with the right support, it’s possible.

Take the First Step Toward Quitting

Truth Initiative invites young people to take the first step toward quitting by texting EXPROGRAM to 88709 or visiting exprogram.com. Organizations interested in EX Program’s enterprise solution can learn more at exprogram.com/enterprise.

*According to Truth Initiative Continuous Tracking Online (CTO) survey data collected October 17, 2024December 17, 2024, from 662 respondents.

About Truth Initiative
Truth Initiative® is a national nonprofit public health organization committed to a future free from lifelong addiction, fostering healthier lives and a more resilient nation. Our mission is to prevent youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empower quitting for all. Through our evidence-based, market-leading cessation EX® Program and national public education and prevention campaigns, we are leading the fight against youth and young adult tobacco use, which threatens to put a new generation at risk of lifetime nicotine addiction. Our rigorous scientific research and policy studies, community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco, and innovation in tobacco dependence treatment continue to contribute to ending one of the most critical public health battles of our time. Based in Washington, D.C., our organization was established and funded through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories, and the tobacco industry. To learn more, visit truthinitiative.org.

About EX Program
EX® Program is a proven-effective tobacco cessation program, developed by Truth Initiative® with Mayo Clinic, that brings together the best evidence-based quitting approaches, interactive digital quitting programs, and the most established online quit community. EX Program has helped millions of youth and adults develop the skills and confidence to successfully quit. Truth Initiative research has shown that EX Program text messages can increase a user’s odds of quitting by up to 40%. To learn more, visit exprogram.com.

About EX Program Enterprise
Developed by Truth Initiative® with Mayo Clinic, EX® Program Enterprise is the best strategic partner for employers, health plans, and public health organizations to end smoking, vaping, and nicotine use. Sponsored users receive multimodal quitting support, available in both English and Spanish. Clients get real-time dashboards to track performance, year-round promotions, and expert client success guidance. To learn more about available options visit exprogram.com/enterprise.

 

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SOURCE Truth Initiative

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Foxconn Announces Strategic Partnership With Zettabyte to Transform AI Data Centers

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TAIPEI, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Zettabyte, a global leader in AI data center software and infrastructure solutions, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer. This collaboration, underpinned by capital funding, aims to drive innovation and expand the adoption of energy-efficient AI solutions worldwide.

At the forefront of Zettabyte’s offerings is Zware, its advanced AI data center management software. Zware optimizes GPU performance, dramatically lowering energy usage while maximizing computing output. This cutting-edge solution empowers businesses to achieve unparalleled efficiency and sustainability in AI computing.

“We are thrilled to partner with Foxconn, a company renowned for its excellence in manufacturing and innovation,” said Kenneth Tai, Chairman of Zettabyte. “This partnership will accelerate the deployment of our technology, meeting the surging demand for high-performance, energy-efficient AI computing globally.”

Partnering with Zettabyte aligns with Foxconn’s commitment to advancing sustainable technologies. According to Foxconn, Zware’s ability to enhance AI data center operations while significantly reducing energy consumption opens opportunities to set new benchmarks for the future of AI data centers.

This collaboration underscores Zettabyte’s leadership in revolutionizing AI infrastructure and its dedication to providing transformative technologies to enterprises worldwide.

About Zettabyte

ZETTABYTE is a global innovator in AI data center technology, delivering solutions that redefine efficiency and sustainability in AI data centers. Its flagship software, Zware, is setting a new standard for sustainable and efficient AI computing.

About Foxconn

Established in 1974 in Taiwan, Hon Hai Technology Group (“Foxconn”) (TWSE: 2317) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer and leading technological solutions provider, ranking 32nd among the Fortune Global 500. In 2023, revenue totaled TWD6.162 trillion (approx. US$198 billion or EUR183 billion)

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SOURCE Zettabyte

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Karma Automotive Collaborates with the Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance (COVESA), UC Riverside and ROADMEDIC.AI to Develop and Pilot Software and Standards for Next-Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Response Vehicle Communications

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At CES2025, a new vision is shared for standardizing the method that enables Software Defined Vehicles to more rapidly and robustly dispatch 9-1-1 Emergency Response Services to vehicle collisions 

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Karma Automotive, America’s only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer, is passionate about enabling the proliferation of open standards in Software Defined Vehicle Architecture (SDVA) to increase industry collaboration, and to speed development as the expanded role of software redefines the driving experience aboard modern vehicles. With vehicle occupant safety as a preeminent focus in all vehicle development, Karma Automotive is collaborating with the Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance (COVESA), the University of California Riverside and ROADMEDIC.AI to develop standards-based software applications which leverage vehicle connectivity to provide robust and real-time insights to 9-1-1 first responders and the related eco-system.   

Developing technology that gets emergency responders to the scene faster to save lives

According to a paper published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), for every 1-minute increase in EMS response time, fatality odds increase by 2.6%. The goal of the effort is to drastically reduce emergency response times, and materially increase preparedness of responders when arriving at the site of a critical incident. Then, to validate software applications and communication protocols that have been validated in real-world applications that can be shared and easily deployed by the broader automotive industry.

To announce this project, Karma Automotive will join the COVESA Networking Reception and Demonstration at CES2025 on January 7 at 5pm at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and showcase the ultra-exclusive, high-performance 2025 Karma Invictus. Karma Invictus is underpinned by the Karma Cloud Services platform that serves as the backbone for the development of the proposed safety system.

Enabling the detailed transmission of vital vehicle and occupant data in real-time could help responders increase preparedness to triage an incident, as contemporary automobiles carry tremendous amounts of data. Leveraging connectivity systems, a vehicle can directly identify number and location of occupants, severity of impact, location of the incident, vehicle extrication instructions and even driver biometrics. Software can be used to organize, parse, and transmit this data in real-time to parties based on their specific role in the 9-1-1 response eco-system.  When combined with vehicle-embedded and cloud-based AI, this data can be sorted and delivered independently, yet simultaneously to the diverse network of service providers that engage in incident response activities. Collectively, this effort is referred to as the ‘9-1-1 Dispatcher Visibility Demonstration Project’.

“Much of what we deliver to our customers in software should not be looked at as differentiating, but rather essential,” says Marques McCammon, President, Karma Automotive. “Safety for example is important to all industry players, and if we could standardize our approach to innovation in the space, we can not only improve the well-being of drivers universally, but also reduce development cost, and time getting new tech technologies to market. This philosophy is central to the Karma Automotive brand promise and our positioning as America’s only ultra-luxury automotive brand.”  

“Together with our partners, we look to democratize development and share the learnings to the benefit of the broader industry and the community at large,” continues McCammon, “and with upcoming Karma vehicles, this technology will be seamlessly integrated within our Karma Connect Vehicle Data Management and connectivity services platform.”

“This collaboration is the realization of a 25-year journey,” said Lawrence E. Williams, CEO and Founder of ROADMEDIC.AI. “Many times, it seemed like a pipe dream, but today, thanks to Karma Automotive’s shared vision, we are turning that dream into reality. Together, we are poised to revolutionize 9-1-1 emergency response systems and save countless lives.”

Next Generation 9-1-1 Technology: A Game Changer
Karma Automotive is the first OEM automotive partner to COVESA’s ‘9-1-1 Dispatcher Visibility Demonstration Project’. Working in collaboration with the University of California Riverside, the automaker will utilize 3rd Generation Karma Revero sport sedans to pilot the technology application and its related use cases. The results of this effort will then be shared with the greater COVESA community, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), and other community members and stakeholders.

Existing 9-1-1 emergency response systems rely heavily on caller-based information, often supplemented by telematics systems transmitting data to manufacturer call centers. These systems, while useful, introduce delays and inconsistencies that can hinder timely emergency responses. By contrast, the Next Generation 9-1-1 Technology spearheaded by Karma Automotive and its partners will enable vehicles to instantly transmit vital, multi-layered crash data directly to 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Centers, bypassing intermediaries and saving precious seconds in emergency scenarios.

About Karma Automotive

Karma Automotive is America’s only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer, and a pioneer of EREV (Extended Range Electric) vehicles which it manufactures at its Karma Innovation and Customization Center (KICC) in Moreno Valley, CA. Its Executive, Product Development, and Design headquarters are located in nearby Irvine, CA. The Karma portfolio embodies California’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial boldness, reflected by the signature Comet Line which is the central hallmark of Karma’s new design language. Sales of the 3rd Generation Karma Revero sport sedan, the world’s first luxury EREV plug-in hybrid, are now underway in the USA and EU, offering luxury balanced with conscientiousness delivered without compromise. Sales of Revero’s ultra-exclusive, performance-tuned stablemate, Karma Invictus, will begin in Q1 2025, followed by the Gyesera four-seater in Q4 2025.  The Karma Kaveya super-coupe, with up to 1,000HP and butterfly-doors, will arrive in Q4 2026, incorporating SDVA (Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture) developed in collaboration with Intel Automotive. Further, Karma Automotive will provide Tier 1’s and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with business-to-business SDVA solutions, as it does today with Karma Connect, its proprietary Vehicle Data Management and Over-the-Air services platform, which presently provides services to the world’s second largest OEM. Karma Automotive’s dealer network spans North America, Europe, South America and the Middle East. (www.karmaautomotive.com) 

About ROADMEDIC.AI

ROADMEDIC.AI is an authorized automotive OEM Tier 1 supplier dedicated to improving 9-1-1 emergency response through instantaneous IP-based data transmission from motor vehicles to 9-1-1 centers. Their innovative solutions save lives and reduce harm in crash events. For more information, visit www.roadmedic.com.

About COVESA

The Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance (COVESA) is an open, member-driven global technology alliance accelerating the full potential of connected vehicles. By developing common approaches and technologies, COVESA provides a collaborative platform that empowers automotive software stakeholders and world-class developers to address challenges and opportunities in connected mobility and navigate the digital transformation of the automotive industry. Learn more about COVESA or join our community at www.covesa.global.

Media Contact:                                                                                                                                                           

Joe Richardson, (917) 716-6617                                                                              
Joe@BeautifulNoisePR.com 

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SOURCE Karma Automotive

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