Innovate UK Fuels Digital Innovation with £37.6M Investment

The Belfast Region City Deal, in collaboration with Innovate UK, has announced a significant investment of £37.6 million aimed at the establishment of a pioneering UK Digital Twin Centre. This centre will serve as a transformative hub, revolutionizing the development of products, services, and systems throughout the UK by enabling industries to adopt digital twins. These digital twins, which are virtual representations of physical objects or systems, will be used to optimize operations by leveraging real-world data. Digital Catapult, leading the initiative, has garnered co-investment from major industry players including Thales UK, Spirit AeroSystems, and Artemis Technologies. With core funding from Innovate UK, the centre will initially focus on six use cases targeting the maritime, aerospace, and defense sectors, while also nurturing industry, academic, and public sector collaborations. The digital twin centre seeks to enhance productivity, support net zero goals, and elevate innovation across the UK. The UK government's £350 million investment into the Belfast Region City Deal will further support this initiative, ultimately fostering economic growth and job creation in Northern Ireland.