The Great Barrier Reef is being revolutionized by the use of digital twins, a technology that uses photogrammetry to create 3D models of the reef. This technology, which has seen significant growth in marine ecosystem monitoring and research over the last decade, is accelerating scientists' ability to help vulnerable reefs recover and adapt to a warming climate. Photogrammetry, the science of measuring objects from images, produces intricate image reconstructions (digital twins) of essential things, including the Great Barrier Reef. - The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has been using digital twins since 2017 to diagnose the health status of reefs and guide approaches that support their recovery and adaptation.
- Over 6,000 hours have been spent, and 1,000 digital twins have been produced to date, enhancing the ability to investigate coral reefs.
- The Ecological Intelligence for Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (EcoRRAP) implemented photogrammetry in 2021 to measure fine-scale changes within coral reef communities.
- Photogrammetry is paired with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the rate of extracting information from digital twins, providing timely information for management and conservation.
The global digital twin market was valued at $3.1B in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.3% from 2021 to 2028. - Digital twins are being used in various fields, including urban planning and infrastructure management, and also to simulate, predict, and visualize systems in 3D.
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