The 5th Digital Twin International Conference (DigiTwin 2025) successfully concluded from 14 to 18 October 2025 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany. The conference was jointly organized by the Universität der Bundeswehr München, the journals of Digital Twin and Digital Engineering, Taylor & Francis Group, Elsevier, and

the Digital Twin International Research Center at Beihang University

Under the theme "Digital Twin Optimizing the World," DigiTwin 2025 brought together global leading researchers to share the latest research findings, explore technological frontiers, and foster international collaboration that accelerates technology and engineering innovation in the digital twin field.

This year's hybrid program featured two in-person venues in Germany and China, respectively, along with 21 online sessions. In total, 226 academic presentations were delivered to 1,200 registered participants from more than 20 countries, across Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania and Africa. More than 200 participants attended on site.

German Main Venue (Garmisch-Partenkirchen)

China Venue (Beihang University)

23 Sessions in Total (Online & Onsite)

On October 13, 2025—the eve of DigiTwin 2025— the Conference Chairs, Prof. Stefan Pickl and Prof. Fei Tao, were received by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

German Chancellor Merz meeting Prof. Stefan Pickl and Prof. Fei Tao

Conference Review - Opening Ceremony

Co-chaired by Prof. Stefan Pickl and Prof. Fei Tao, the opening ceremony set the tone for the week. Prof. Pickl delivered the welcome address, followed by Prof. Nabil Anwer (Université Paris–Saclay) speaking on behalf of the Digital Twin International Advisory Committee. Dr. Monaz Mehta (Elsevier) then introduced the Digital Engineering journal. Prof. Tao delivered his address.

Opening ceremony and welcome addresses

Prof. Tao introduced the “Two Journals & Two Conferences” initiative—comprising the Digital Twin and Digital Engineering journals, the DigiTwin International Conference, and the International Digital Engineering Association (IDEA)—and outlined the composition of DTIAC. He then introduced the week's agenda, highlighting the keynote speeches, sessions, and the DigiTwin 2025 awards program.

Highlights of the conference agenda

Finally, Prof. Pickl and Prof. Tao presented conference gifts to the distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony.

Conference Review - Keynote Speeches

Keynote presentations were delivered by:

Prof. Fei Tao (Beihang University, China)

Prof. Bernhard Hämmerli (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway)

Prof. Dieter Budde (Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany)

Prof. Thomas Lukasiewicz (TU Wien and University of Oxford, UK; Turing Fellow)

Dr. Gülsüm Üsümez (SECO Tools, Switzerland)

Prof. Nabil Anwer (Université Paris-Saclay, France; CIRP Fellow)

Prof. Andrea Matta (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)

Prof. Chris Gibbins (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Malaysia)

Highlights of the keynote presentations

Conference Review - Parallel Sessions

From October 15–17, DigiTwin 2025 hosted 226 presentations across two in-person venues and 21 online sessions. Talks spanned key digital-twin technologies, manufacturing systems, cross-disciplinary frontiers, marine equipment, digital-twin networks, additive manufacturing, smart construction, twin cities, and healthcare.

The hybrid format broadened access and deepened discussion, enabling seamless participation for scholars worldwide. It drew a strong international audience and fostered energetic, high-quality exchange of ideas.

Highlights of the sessions (1/3)

Highlights of the sessions (2/3)

Highlights of the sessions (3/3)

Conference Review - Award Ceremony & Closing Ceremony

On the afternoon of October 17, DigiTwin 2025 hosted its Awards and Closing Ceremonies. The program opened with Assoc. Prof. Li Yi (Beihang University) announcing the foundation of the International Digital Engineering Association (IDEA).

An awards committee chaired by Prof. Xiaojun Liu (Southeast University) oversaw the selection, with awards presented by Prof. Nabil Anwer and Assoc. Prof. Li Yi.

The conference presented awards across 5 categories : DigiTwin 2025 Highly Cited Paper Award, Best Paper Award, Best Presentation Award (including Best Student Presentation Award), Enterprise Innovation Application Award, Outstanding Scientist Award, Young Scientist Award, and Outstanding Organization Contribution Award.

Enterprise Innovation Application Award recipients: Siemens AG (Germany) and IRT SystemX (France). Presented by Conference Chairs Prof. Stefan Pickl and Prof. Fei Tao.

Enterprise Innovation Application Award

Outstanding Scientist Award recipient: Prof. Alain Bernard, Fellow of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), Lifetime Professor at Centrale Nantes, France. Presented online by Conference Chairs Prof. Pickl and Prof. Tao. Prof. Bernard delivered his acceptance speech online.

Outstanding Scientist Award

Young Scientist Award recipients: Prof. Marvin Carl May (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Associate Professor Qilin Qi (Beihang University, China), Associate Professor Giovanni Lugaresi (KU Leuven, Belgium), Researcher Baicun Wang (Zhejiang University, China).

 Young Scientist Award

Best Presentation Award recipients: Prof. Maximilian Moll (Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany), Mr. Stephen Creff (IRT SystemX, France), Prof. Ning Zhao (University of Science and Technology of Beijing, China), Dr. Guanghao Zhai (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China), Dr. Christian Kober (Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg, Germany).

Best Presentation Award

Best Student Presentation Award recipients: Merlin Korth and Atefeh Aali (PhD students, KIT, Germany), Mr. Christian Barahona (Vulcan Energy Resources GmbH, Germany), Danning Sun (PhD student, Beihang University, China), Tianyi Sun (PhD student, Shandong University, China), Yi Li (PhD student, The University of Hong Kong, China).

 Best Student Presentation Award

Outstanding Organization Award recipients: Prof. Andrea Matta (Politecnico di Milano, Italy) and Associate Professor Giovanni Lugaresi (KU Leuven, Belgium), in recognition of their organization of the DigiTwin 2024 conference in Milan, Italy.

Best Organization Award

Dr. Zehua Cheng (University of Oxford) delivered a virtual preview of DigiTwin 2026, which will be hosted at the University of Oxford in August 2026.

Finally, Prof. Stefan Pickl (Universität der Bundeswehr München) presided over the closing ceremony, summarizing the conference highlights and expressing his sincere gratitude to all the experts and scholars for their enthusiastic participation.