Transforming Tradie Workflows with Digital Twin Technology

Reece's innovation design team, Next, is at the forefront of testing how cutting-edge technological advancements could be integrated into the trades industry. This technology is designed to transform how tradies interact with their workspaces by enhancing accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing and repairing issues. 

But first, what is a digital twin? A digital twin is a virtual model of something that exists in the physical world. It uses the design of a physical object and data synchronised from that object to create a rich information model.  A digital twin’s primary purpose is to use the digital representation to gain helpful insights to improve maintenance and management of a built asset. 

Our customers are front of our mind when we're looking at new technologies. We interviewed multiple tradies to understand the problems they experience day to day. Maintenance tradies often face the challenge of locating services hidden behind walls, underground, or in roofs. Diagnosing and fixing these problems can be cumbersome, typically involving blind cuts into plaster or the use of costly thermal imaging equipment. This process not only consumes time and money but also causes significant inconvenience to both tradies and homeowners. 

We created a digital twin model of the new NextGen plumbing branch in Footscray. By scanning the site at various stages of construction, we developed a mobile prototype that allows users to see the exact locations of pipes and fittings behind walls in real-time as they walk through the space. You can watch the video to hear our customers thoughts on the prototype or visit the branch to experience it firsthand. 

Benefits:  

Efficiency gains: The ability to instantly locate services behind walls can save maintenance tradies significant time, enabling them to complete more work efficiently and effectively. 

Data-driven insights: 

The data captured by the digital twin provides Reece with valuable insights into the performance of installed products. 

Current limitations: 

Currently, the technology for creating digital twins is primarily applicable to new builds. As the technology advances, Next aims to explore ways to reduce the cost per use, making digital twins more accessible