In a time already dominated by screens, the idea of a virtual persistent world, like the metaverse, may seem like too much tech for humanity to handle. But rather than seeing digital worlds as replacements for reality, UCF researchers see them as replications that can be integrated naturally, with a technology called digital twin.
The concept, which has been evolving since the 1980s, centers on creating virtual replications of the physical world, in real time. That means that before they even enter an operating room, doctors can use digital twins to foresee every outcome of their decisions during surgery. Digital twins can also be scaled to represent entire transportation systems or cities, with constantly updated data and conditions that allow experts to test and prove their concepts before production.
As these virtual worlds begin to take shape, one place is uniquely positioned to bring them to life: Orlando, a global hub for modeling, simulation and training. Over the past 60 years, the city’s simulation sector has grown into a major economic engine, now generating $7 billion in regional impact and supporting a workforce of 60,000, according to the Orlando Economic Partnership. At the center of this momentum is UCF, a driving force in both innovation and industry leadership.
To continue to push the field of simulation forward, the world needs new innovators with strong academic backgrounds, which is why UCF launched the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training in 2018. And with gifts from donors like you, we’re continuing to push further — to find the edge of possibility for technology just like this. In doing so, we’ll continue working toward securing a thriving economy for our communities.
