The Apollo Protocol: unifying digital twins across sectors

This document argues for a cross-sectoral framework that will unlock the benefits of digital twins between the manufacturing and built environment sectors, with the support of the technology sector.

The proposal has the support of the Digital Manufacturing & Performance workstream of the Construction Leadership Council, whose aim is to build a stronger connection between the technology, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Whilst manufacturing and built environment both use digital twins, they have developed them in isolation, risking the creation of separate, incompatible markets unable to meet cross-sector sustainability and performance goals.

The report recommends the creation of The Apollo Forum to investigate cross-sectoral digital twin interfaces and explore the opportunities they would offer, some of which are outlined in the report.

The Forum will create and define the Apollo Protocol: a mechanism for formalising communication between sectors that can be applied to other cross-sector uses of digital twins.

Other supporters of this initiative include:

• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
• The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
• High-Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult
• The Digital Twin Hub (supported by the Connected Places Catapult)
• Cambridge Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB)
• techUK
• The Alan Turing Institute

Published date: Mon 12 Sep 2022