Running into the Future with AI and Big Data

Highlights

The creation of digital twins allows us to learn by testing out several different scenarios virtually, using a wealth of physical data.
One advantage of digital twins lies in using the technology to run simulations based on big data, predicting outcomes, and making course corrections, all in real time.
By creating digital twins of themselves, runners can learn how their bodies react to challenging courses, how they should train, and what they should eat to optimise their run.

Right foot forward

Running is easy—just one foot in front of the other, over and over again.

At the same time, the human body is so advanced—and individual—that we are often forced to guess what is going on inside us.

What if we could use technology to take guesswork out of that equation and learn a little bit more about our bodies and health?

At TCS, that is the journey we embarked on with digital twin technology. A digital twin is the creation of a real-time, virtual counterpart of a physical object. TCS Principal Futurist Frank Diana and his team calls it ‘a rehearsal of the future’. It allows us to learn by testing out several different scenarios virtually, using a wealth of physical data.

The magic of data

While the possibilities are endless—use cases abound in the fields of healthcare and energy management, for instance—the real advantage of digital twins lies in using the technology to run simulations based on big data, predicting outcomes, and making course corrections, all in real time.

“It is a way to represent something from the physical world digitally. The technology allows us to have a dialogue with the data the digital twin collects. We can then use AI to interactively learn about the person, place, or thing in real time. The important difference between a digital twin and a traditional simulation is that we can ‘have a dialogue’ with the twin. We can constantly add and receive data that affects the result,” says Alexandra Whittington, Futurist, TCS.

In other words, digital twins could help us rehearse the future.

Get, set, Lidingö

Picture this: You are one among the many runners drawn to the quaint island of Lidingö, just outside the city of Stockholm in Sweden, for its annual cross-country race, TCS Lidingöloppet.

Sprawled across a 30-km course that passes through rolling, verdant hills and several dirt paths, the race is not meant for the faint of heart. Over its 60-race history, this cross-country run has earned the title of being the world’s biggest such event and a test of determination and resilience.

And behind the scenes, TCS has played a vital role in taking this race to the next level.

Running up that hill

With the help of digital twins, both elite and recreational runners in future editions of TCS Lidingöloppet can optimise their training, performance, and well-being, thereby shaving precious minutes off their course time.

By creating digital twins of themselves, like TCS Futurist Bill Quinn, runners can learn how their bodies react to the challenging Lidingö slopes, how they should train, and what they should eat to optimise their run. In the future, their ‘twins’ will also be able to ‘run’ the race digitally and predict how race day will turn out for them.

Digital twin technology allows us to know more, guess less, and see into the future.

Visit the TCS Lidingöloppet page

Learn more about how TCS is focusing on tech and innovation to enhance the marathon experience for participants and spectators.

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TCS is here to make a difference through technology.

We’re in it for good, driving positive change for the benefit of all.

Extraordinary expertise leads to remarkable results.

Want to be a global change-maker? Join our team.

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TCS works hand in hand with world-leading investors.

TCS is here to make a difference through technology.

We’re in it for good, driving positive change for the benefit of all.

Extraordinary expertise leads to remarkable results.

Want to be a global change-maker? Join our team.

Find the latest news about TCS in our Newsroom

Recent Press releases

Recent News

Recent recognitions

Upcoming events

TCS works hand in hand with world-leading investors.

Faster, higher, stronger… digital

Highlights

On this page

Right foot forward

The magic of data

Get, set, Lidingö

Running up that hill

Visit the TCS Lidingöloppet page

TCS is here to make a difference through technology.

We’re in it for good, driving positive change for the benefit of all.

Extraordinary expertise leads to remarkable results.

Want to be a global change-maker? Join our team.

Find the latest news about TCS in our Newsroom

Recent Press releases

Recent News

Recent recognitions

Upcoming events

TCS works hand in hand with world-leading investors.

Highlights

On this page

Right foot forward

The magic of data

Get, set, Lidingö

Running up that hill

Related reading

Visit the TCS Lidingöloppet page

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