The city of Orlando, Florida, has unveiled a “first-of-its-scale” digital twin of its metro region that will use real-time data to improve decision-making.
The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) hired video games and government platform developer, Unity, to create the digital twin which maps 800 square miles of the region and recreates 40 square miles in high resolution.
The digital twin incorporates various data sets from multiple sources, allowing companies, local governments, and nonprofits to visualise how plans will impact the region.
Currently deployed in a digital marketing centre at OEP’s new headquarters in downtown Orlando, an online version is set for launch in phase II of the project.
According to the partnership, by aggregating public and private sources of information, the digital twin serves as a critical resource for all decision makers in the area, making the technology a vital piece of Orlando’s future.
Buddy Dyer, mayor of Orlando, said: “Orlando is one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems and this immersive digital twin further proves our position as a region leading the development of forward-thinking tools that enhance the experience of economic development.
“Using this technology, Orlando has the ability to demonstrate to established companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the globe the possibilities available to them in our city – from real estate options and infrastructure to the proximity of other like-minded companies and our diverse talent pool.”
While other cities’ digital twins have singular applications for smaller areas, the technology for the Orlando region will have nearly ‘unlimited’ uses, the partnership claims.
For economic development, OEP will show site selectors and CEOs available land and real estate, as well as areas of interest for different industries, infrastructure connectivity and talent availability all while saving drive time.
Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of Orlando Economic Partnership, commented: “Orlando is one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems and this immersive digital twin further proves our position as a region leading the development of forward-thinking tools that enhance the experience of economic development.
“This is a game changer that highlights Orlando’s unique value proposition and people from around the US and the globe will want to come here to see how it works.”
Callan Carpenter, Vice President Digital Twin Solutions at Unity, added: “We’re honoured to be collaborating with the Orlando Economic Partnership on this ‘first of a kind’ regional digital twin of this size and scale.
“We hope it’ll help companies to better plan for expansion in the future and map out new transit routes to connect Floridians with new jobs in the process.”
Image credit: Orlando Economic Partnership
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