Simulation, which is one of the critical part of Industry 4.0, is a time-based representation of the operation of a real-world process or system. Models are needed for simulations; the model reflects the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, while the simulation shows the model's evolution across time. Computers are frequently used to carry out simulations.

In this report, over 4,000 patent applications filed worldwide between 2011 and 2021 in the field of simulation were examined.