India, June 26 -- In something straight out of a videogame, Singapore's Marina Bay Sands comes to life in intricate detail, in a digital simulation. People walk around on a sunny afternoon, take selfies at the Merlion, stop at hawker centres for a snack.

It isn't a game, though. It's an estimation of activity, based on data gathered by a digital-twin system that is studying Singapore more or less in real time.

Using real data on population, use of public spaces, weather, commuting patterns and other such factors, the system can estimate real and projected traffic volumes or energy consumption, test the impact of plans for more solar panels or a new pedestrian bridge.

Data is drawn from satellites, sensors on the ground and public agenc...