For my 3D simulation project, we can control instruments including robot arms/device/liquid handler virtually. Recently I have an idea that if we can get status or data (e.g. values of each joint for robot arm) of hardwares through web service, then we can make synchronization between real and 3D simulation. So following test was done, standalone application acted as real devices, web simulation in browser communicated and got all the data of devices through web service, and then synchronization was achieved.
I think this may be prototype of digital twin, it is very simple to setup the system and then we can access it on any computers/phone with browser.