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Digital twin competition launched with Glasgow Airport

Innovators with digital twin solutions are invited to come forward and apply their existing technology to one of three key challenges within aviation.
A passenger airplane is parked at an airport gate during sunset at Glasgow Airport. Ground crew and vehicles are servicing the plane while the jet bridge is connected, vividly illustrated in a digital twin representation.

Funding of up to £70,000 is on offer to one company developing digital twin technologies in a live aviation environment, in a competition launched today by Connected Places Catapult.

The Living Lab Digital Twin Competition with Glasgow Airport is designed to take forward innovative digital twin technology solutions tailored for the aviation sector, and is specifically aimed at enhancing operations at the Scottish airport.

Aims of the programme are to overcome challenges faced by businesses in creating and integrating digital twin technologies in aviation, promote innovative solutions, and provide support to help bring digital twin solutions to market.

We're delighted to introduce our inaugural Digital Twin Competition, hosted within the dynamic setting of the Connected Airport Living Lab at Glasgow Airport.

“This innovative facility fosters advancements in passenger experience and accelerates decarbonisation through electrification, hydrogen utilisation, automation, data analytics, and integrated surface-level access solutions.

“Made possible by the strategic support of Connected Places Catapult, this competition aims to spark innovation by integrating digital twins into the aviation sector, with a focus on optimising operations at Glasgow Airport.
Connected Places Catapult’s Interim Ecosystem Director for Air Mobility & Airports, Andrew Chadwick

Businesses taking part in the competition must address one of three industry challenges: better understanding asset replacement needs; how to better observe, forecast and influence passenger movement to help with journeys; and ways of reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

The competition is formed of two phases. In phase one, up to five successful organisations will have the chance to present their digital twin concepts at Glasgow Airport where they can showcase how their technology can be applied to the challenges, accessing up to £3,000 in funding.

Following an assessment of the submitted use-case proposals, one organisation will be chosen to advance to phase two to carry out a full-scale deployment of their digital twin solution at Glasgow Airport, accessing up to £70,000 in funding.

Participants will also have an opportunity to engage with established players in the aviation industry, and receive technical support from specialists at Connected Places Catapult and Glasgow Airport. Applicants must be a UK registered business, and present an innovation solution at or above Technology Readiness Level 5. The competition closes on 7 March.

 For further details contact anna.kerr@cp.catapult.org.uk