A new type of digital platform has been introduced in Satakunta to support companies in decision-making, operational forecasting, and process optimization. The digital twin experimentation environment, developed by the GPT Lab research group at Tampere University, offers companies an opportunity to explore how the concept can be applied in their own business through real-life use cases implemented in the region.
As part of the DIGI2 project carried out by Tampere University, a digital twin experimentation environment was developed for companies in the region. This environment enables businesses to familiarize themselves with the concept and test its application in their own operations. The goal of the project was to create an open and freely accessible digital platform that companies can use to enhance their competitiveness while increasing their understanding of how digitalization can support business development.
A digital twin is defined as a digital counterpart of a physical object, process, or service. It enables modeling, simulation of alternative scenarios, and visualization of different operations or investments before actual implementation. A digital twin provides insight into how a process or function behaves under various conditions, helping identify development opportunities already at the planning stage. The pilots conducted in the project demonstrated that digital twins can be applied across a wide range of contexts, from industrial use to service development and decision support.
During the project, GPT Lab researchers carried out several digital twin pilot projects in collaboration with companies and public sector organizations. System and service providers also participated, ensuring that the solutions used in the pilots are scalable for commercial applications, such as pre-marketing of buildings, monitoring and workflow management systems, and training simulations.
Digital twin pilots were implemented in more than ten companies and organizations across different sectors in Satakunta. Through these pilots, companies were able to test process optimization with expert support and without significant financial risk. The pilots were well received by partners. According to Kimmo Kivikko, CEO of Lammaisten Energia, participation in the DIGI2 project enabled the company to experiment with a map-based system for work management and monitoring task progress using a digital twin, while also gaining a new perspective on their operational activities.
“The pilot demonstrated concretely how a visual, map-based interface clarifies and improves work planning and helps in understanding the overall situation,” Kivikko explains.
The DIGI2 project leaves a lasting legacy in Satakunta: the experimentation environment developed in the project, along with documented practices from the pilots, will remain publicly available so that companies can independently utilize digital twin solutions in their operations in the future.
You can explore the DIGI2 experimentation environment here:
https://projects.tuni.fi/digi2/
(Note: for online publication only)
The project also provides a scalable national model and concrete examples of how digital twins can be used to strengthen companies’ competitiveness and promote research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities both in Satakunta and elsewhere in Finland.
The project was carried out between May 1, 2023, and February 28, 2026. It was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is part of the EU’s regional and structural policy programme “Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021–2027.”
Contact person and interviews:
Jari Soini
jari.soini@tuni.fi
