The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways

Victor Alonso  Ramos; Gema Antequera  García; Iria Galiñanes  Romero; Celia Minguet  Requeni; Sergio Gusmeroli; Iddo Bante; Jose Ramón  Sierra; Nikolaos  Nikolakis; M.N. Koeva; Katalin  Kovacs; Gorka  Aguirre; Ibon  Ocaña

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways

Victor Alonso Ramos
, Gema Antequera García
, Iria Galiñanes Romero
, Celia Minguet Requeni
, Sergio Gusmeroli
, Iddo Bante
, Jose Ramón Sierra
, Nikolaos Nikolakis
, M.N. Koeva
, Katalin Kovacs
, Gorka Aguirre
, Ibon Ocaña

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This chapter explores the future of digital twin (DT) technologies in Europe, identifying emerging trends, strategic challenges, and innovation pathways toward 2030 and beyond. Building on the foundational work of the AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA) Digital Twin Topic Group, it provides a forward-looking analysis of how DTs can transform European industry and society. The chapter highlights Europe’s unique opportunity to lead in ethical, sustainable, and value-driven DT adoption, distinct from the investment-heavy approaches of global competitors. Key enablers such as AI integration, data governance, frugal computing, talent development, and regulatory alignment are discussed in depth. A multi-phase technology roadmap is proposed, outlining short-, mid-, and long-term priorities, including DTs’ convergence with mechatronics, AR/VR, and predictive intelligence. Finally, the chapter calls for coordinated European action to foster open innovation ecosystems and establish Europe as a global reference in trusted, human-centric digital twin technologies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics
Subtitle of host publication	Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions
Editors	E. Curry, P. Piatkiewicz, F. Heintz, H. Vornhagen, A.N. Belbachir, E. Girardi, M. Schoenauer, J. Rönig
Publisher	Springer
Pages	581-594
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-10561-5
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-10560-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20
Publication status	Published - Mar 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

Artificial intelligence · Manufacturing · Advanced robotics · Internet of Things · Data analytics

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20Licence: CC BY

978-3-032-10561-5_20Final published version, 233 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Ramos, V. A., García, GA., Romero, I. G., Requeni, C. M., Gusmeroli, S., Bante, I., Sierra, J. R., Nikolakis, N., Koeva, M. N., Kovacs, K., Aguirre, G., & Ocaña, I. (2026). The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways. In E. Curry, P. Piatkiewicz, F. Heintz, H. Vornhagen, A. N. Belbachir, E. Girardi, M. Schoenauer, & J. Rönig (Eds.), Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics : Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions (pp. 581-594). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

Ramos, Victor Alonso ; García, Gema Antequera ; Romero, Iria Galiñanes et al. / The Future of Digital Twins in Europe : The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways. Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics : Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions. editor / E. Curry ; P. Piatkiewicz ; F. Heintz ; H. Vornhagen ; A.N. Belbachir ; E. Girardi ; M. Schoenauer ; J. Rönig. Springer, 2026. pp. 581-594

@inbook{6081c44a50ab402cb1cb039ca1553eca,

title = "The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways",

abstract = "This chapter explores the future of digital twin (DT) technologies in Europe, identifying emerging trends, strategic challenges, and innovation pathways toward 2030 and beyond. Building on the foundational work of the AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA) Digital Twin Topic Group, it provides a forward-looking analysis of how DTs can transform European industry and society. The chapter highlights Europe{\textquoteright}s unique opportunity to lead in ethical, sustainable, and value-driven DT adoption, distinct from the investment-heavy approaches of global competitors. Key enablers such as AI integration, data governance, frugal computing, talent development, and regulatory alignment are discussed in depth. A multi-phase technology roadmap is proposed, outlining short-, mid-, and long-term priorities, including DTs{\textquoteright} convergence with mechatronics, AR/VR, and predictive intelligence. Finally, the chapter calls for coordinated European action to foster open innovation ecosystems and establish Europe as a global reference in trusted, human-centric digital twin technologies.",

keywords = "Artificial intelligence · Manufacturing · Advanced robotics · Internet of Things · Data analytics",

author = "Ramos, \{Victor Alonso\} and Gema Antequera Garc{\'i}a and Romero, \{Iria Gali{\~n}anes\} and Requeni, \{Celia Minguet\} and Sergio Gusmeroli and Iddo Bante and Sierra, \{Jose Ram{\'o}n\} and Nikolaos Nikolakis and M.N. Koeva and Katalin Kovacs and Gorka Aguirre and Ibon Oca{\~n}a",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5\_20",

language = "English",

isbn = "978-3-032-10560-8",

pages = "581--594",

editor = "E. Curry and P. Piatkiewicz and F. Heintz and H. Vornhagen and A.N. Belbachir and E. Girardi and M. Schoenauer and J. R{\"o}nig",

booktitle = "Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics",

publisher = "Springer",

address = "Germany",

}

Ramos, VA, García, GA, Romero, IG, Requeni, CM, Gusmeroli, S, Bante, I, Sierra, JR, Nikolakis, N, Koeva, MN, Kovacs, K, Aguirre, G & Ocaña, I 2026, The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways. in E Curry, P Piatkiewicz, F Heintz, H Vornhagen, AN Belbachir, E Girardi, M Schoenauer & J Rönig (eds), Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics : Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions. Springer, pp. 581-594. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways. / Ramos, Victor Alonso ; García, Gema Antequera ; Romero, Iria Galiñanes et al.
Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics : Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions. ed. / E. Curry; P. Piatkiewicz; F. Heintz; H. Vornhagen; A.N. Belbachir; E. Girardi; M. Schoenauer; J. Rönig. Springer, 2026. p. 581-594.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - The Future of Digital Twins in Europe

T2 - The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways

AU - Ramos, Victor Alonso

AU - García, Gema Antequera

AU - Romero, Iria Galiñanes

AU - Requeni, Celia Minguet

AU - Gusmeroli, Sergio

AU - Bante, Iddo

AU - Sierra, Jose Ramón

AU - Nikolakis, Nikolaos

AU - Koeva, M.N.

AU - Kovacs, Katalin

AU - Aguirre, Gorka

AU - Ocaña, Ibon

PY - 2026/3

Y1 - 2026/3

N2 - This chapter explores the future of digital twin (DT) technologies in Europe, identifying emerging trends, strategic challenges, and innovation pathways toward 2030 and beyond. Building on the foundational work of the AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA) Digital Twin Topic Group, it provides a forward-looking analysis of how DTs can transform European industry and society. The chapter highlights Europe’s unique opportunity to lead in ethical, sustainable, and value-driven DT adoption, distinct from the investment-heavy approaches of global competitors. Key enablers such as AI integration, data governance, frugal computing, talent development, and regulatory alignment are discussed in depth. A multi-phase technology roadmap is proposed, outlining short-, mid-, and long-term priorities, including DTs’ convergence with mechatronics, AR/VR, and predictive intelligence. Finally, the chapter calls for coordinated European action to foster open innovation ecosystems and establish Europe as a global reference in trusted, human-centric digital twin technologies.

AB - This chapter explores the future of digital twin (DT) technologies in Europe, identifying emerging trends, strategic challenges, and innovation pathways toward 2030 and beyond. Building on the foundational work of the AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA) Digital Twin Topic Group, it provides a forward-looking analysis of how DTs can transform European industry and society. The chapter highlights Europe’s unique opportunity to lead in ethical, sustainable, and value-driven DT adoption, distinct from the investment-heavy approaches of global competitors. Key enablers such as AI integration, data governance, frugal computing, talent development, and regulatory alignment are discussed in depth. A multi-phase technology roadmap is proposed, outlining short-, mid-, and long-term priorities, including DTs’ convergence with mechatronics, AR/VR, and predictive intelligence. Finally, the chapter calls for coordinated European action to foster open innovation ecosystems and establish Europe as a global reference in trusted, human-centric digital twin technologies.

KW - Artificial intelligence · Manufacturing · Advanced robotics · Internet of Things · Data analytics

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

M3 - Chapter

SN - 978-3-032-10560-8

SP - 581

EP - 594

BT - Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics

A2 - Curry, E.

A2 - Piatkiewicz, P.

A2 - Heintz, F.

A2 - Vornhagen, H.

A2 - Belbachir, A.N.

A2 - Girardi, E.

A2 - Schoenauer, M.

A2 - Rönig, J.

PB - Springer

ER -

Ramos VA, García GA, Romero IG, Requeni CM, Gusmeroli S, Bante I et al. The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways. In Curry E, Piatkiewicz P, Heintz F, Vornhagen H, Belbachir AN, Girardi E, Schoenauer M, Rönig J, editors, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics : Foundations, Transformations and Future Directions. Springer. 2026. p. 581-594 doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-10561-5_20

The Future of Digital Twins in Europe: The future of digital twins in Europe: Emerging trends, strategic foresight, and innovation pathways

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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