Researchers in the United States have introduced a fresh take on the artificial pancreas. Built at the University of Virginia, the new system—Adaptive Biobehavioural Control (ABC)—uses digital twin technology to adjust insulin delivery every two weeks. It even offers users a virtual twin, letting them safely test changes before applying them in real life.
Dr Boris Kovatchev, who leads UVA’s Center for Diabetes Technology, makes it clear: managing type 1 diabetes means continually adapting to your body’s changing needs. In a six‑month trial, participants saw their time in a healthy blood‑sugar range climb from 72% to 77%, while their average blood sugar levels dipped from 6.8% to 6.6%. Existing automated systems often struggle with day‑time control and progress plateaux, so ABC’s personalised approach comes as a welcome improvement.
Digital twins, which first played a role in NASA’s Apollo missions, aren’t new. But now, they’re being used to mirror your own metabolic system, making it easier to adjust care routines based on both physical and behavioural changes. If you’ve ever wished for a safe way to experiment with your insulin settings without the risk, this tool might just be the answer.
