Emerging Trends and Hot Topics in Digital Twin Research Globally: A CiteSpace Knowledge Graph Analysis

This study aims to comprehensively assess the status, emerging trends, and hotspots in digital twin research globally, using bibliometric analysis with data sourced from CNKI and Web of Science databases. Through CiteSpace, a knowledge graph of digital twin research both domestically and internationally was constructed to evaluate its strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. The findings indicate: 1) an increasing interest in digital twin research globally, with a consistent rise in publication numbers. 2) Currently, there is no prominent core group of authors in the digital twin domain, either in China or internationally. Collaboration rates among research institutions are higher internationally compared to domestic collaborations in China, though Chinese institutions display greater diversity. While China leads in publication quantity in this field, its global influence requires enhancement. 3) The research frontiers in digital twin studies show similarities worldwide, focusing mainly on applications in intelligent manufacturing, exploration of key technologies, and the intelligent application of digital twins across various domains.