TRL1 - Revision history

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Wiki.admin: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Technology Readiness Level 1 (TRL 1)}} TOC

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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Technology Readiness Level 1 (TRL 1)}} TOC <div style="border:1px solid #b7d4ea; background:#f5fbff; padding:16px; border-radius:10px; margin-bottom:18px;..."

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Technology Readiness Level 1 (TRL 1)}}

TOC

<div style="border:1px solid #b7d4ea; background:#f5fbff; padding:16px; border-radius:10px; margin-bottom:18px;">
<span style="font-size:180%; font-weight:bold;">Technology Readiness Level 1 – Basic Principles Observed</span><br />
<span style="font-size:110%;">A common reference page for the first maturity step of the Collaborative Bee projects.</span>
</div>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-bottom:18px;"
|-
! style="width:25%; background:#e8f3ff;" | TRL Level
| '''TRL 1'''
|-
! style="background:#e8f3ff;" | Name
| '''Basic principles observed'''
|-
! style="background:#e8f3ff;" | Project phase
| Scientific observation, first ideas, early conceptual exploration
|-
! style="background:#e8f3ff;" | Expected output
| Initial concept notes, scientific principles, early assumptions, first technical questions
|-
! style="background:#e8f3ff;" | Not yet expected
| Prototype, detailed design, validated architecture, certification evidence, operational demonstration
|}

== Purpose of this page ==

This page explains what '''Technology Readiness Levels''' are, with a specific focus on '''TRL 1'''.

It is intended to be used as a common entry point before accessing the project-specific TRL 1 pages for:

* [[TRL1 Mini-Bee|TRL 1 – Mini-Bee]]
* [[TRL1 Bee Plane|TRL 1 – Bee Plane]]
* [[TRL1 Iso-Plane|TRL 1 – Iso-Plane]]

The objective is to keep a shared understanding of maturity levels across the different Collaborative Bee projects.

== What are Technology Readiness Levels? ==

'''Technology Readiness Levels''' — usually called '''TRLs''' — are a scale used to describe the maturity of a technology, from the earliest scientific observation to a fully operational system.

The TRL scale helps project teams, academic partners, industrial contributors and decision-makers answer a simple question:

<div style="border-left:5px solid #2f80c0; background:#f7fbff; padding:12px; margin:14px 0;">
'''How mature is this technology, and what evidence supports this maturity level?'''
</div>

TRLs are not only a planning tool. They also help structure:

* research activities;
* technical documentation;
* prototype development;
* testing strategy;
* risk analysis;
* certification preparation;
* project reviews.

== Overview of the TRL scale ==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:left;"
|-
! style="width:12%; background:#eef6ff;" | TRL
! style="width:28%; background:#eef6ff;" | Typical meaning
! style="background:#eef6ff;" | General interpretation
|-
| '''TRL 1'''
| Basic principles observed
| Scientific principles are identified. The idea is still at the observation and concept level.
|-
| '''TRL 2'''
| Technology concept formulated
| A possible application is described and a first concept is proposed.
|-
| '''TRL 3'''
| Experimental proof of concept
| First analytical or experimental evidence supports the concept.
|-
| '''TRL 4'''
| Technology validated in laboratory
| Key functions are tested in a controlled environment.
|-
| '''TRL 5'''
| Technology validated in relevant environment
| The technology is tested in conditions closer to real use.
|-
| '''TRL 6'''
| Technology demonstrated in relevant environment
| A representative model or prototype demonstrates the main functions.
|-
| '''TRL 7'''
| System prototype demonstrated in operational environment
| A prototype is tested in realistic operational conditions.
|-
| '''TRL 8'''
| System complete and qualified
| The system is completed, tested and qualified for its intended use.
|-
| '''TRL 9'''
| Actual system proven in operational use
| The technology is fully operational and used in real missions.
|}

== Definition of TRL 1 ==

'''TRL 1 is the first level of technological maturity.'''

At this stage, the project team observes and identifies basic scientific or technical principles that may support a future technology.

TRL 1 does '''not''' mean that a product exists.
It does '''not''' mean that an architecture is frozen.
It does '''not''' mean that the technology is already feasible, safe or certifiable.

TRL 1 means that the first foundations have been identified and that a technical exploration can begin.

== What TRL 1 means in practice ==

At TRL 1, the work is mainly exploratory. The project team may:

* identify a need or mission;
* observe physical, aerodynamic, mechanical, electrical or operational principles;
* collect scientific references;
* compare existing technologies;
* formulate early technical questions;
* identify possible benefits and limitations;
* open the first project documentation page.

At this level, uncertainty is normal. The goal is not to prove the solution, but to define the knowledge base from which the concept can grow.

== Typical TRL 1 deliverables ==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:30%; background:#eef6ff;" | Deliverable
! style="background:#eef6ff;" | Description
|-
| Mission statement
| First description of the need, use case or problem to solve.
|-
| Basic principles note
| Identification of the physical, technical or scientific principles that may support the idea.
|-
| Initial bibliography
| First list of references, comparable projects, existing technologies or scientific sources.
|-
| Concept assumptions
| Early assumptions about mass, energy, structure, flight mode, deployment or operation.
|-
| Open questions list
| Main unknowns that must be studied before moving to TRL 2.
|-
| First risk list
| Early identification of technical, operational, safety or regulatory risks.
|}

== What is not required at TRL 1 ==

At TRL 1, the following elements are usually '''not yet required''':

* detailed engineering drawings;
* complete system architecture;
* prototype;
* simulation model;
* laboratory validation;
* supplier selection;
* certification compliance matrix;
* operational procedure;
* costed industrial plan.

These elements usually appear at later TRL stages.

== TRL 1 exit criteria ==

A project may be considered ready to move from '''TRL 1''' to '''TRL 2''' when:

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:8%; background:#eef6ff;" | #
! style="background:#eef6ff;" | Exit criterion
! style="width:20%; background:#eef6ff;" | Status
|-
| 1
| The basic scientific or technical principles have been identified.
| To be assessed
|-
| 2
| A potential application has been described.
| To be assessed
|-
| 3
| The main assumptions and uncertainties have been listed.
| To be assessed
|-
| 4
| Comparable existing technologies or references have been identified.
| To be assessed
|-
| 5
| A first concept direction can be formulated.
| To be assessed
|}

== Project-specific TRL 1 pages ==

The following pages apply the TRL 1 logic to each project.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:25%; background:#e8f3ff;" | Project
! style="width:25%; background:#e8f3ff;" | TRL 1 page
! style="background:#e8f3ff;" | Purpose
|-
| '''Mini-Bee'''
| [[TRL1 Mini-Bee|Open TRL 1 – Mini-Bee]]
| Early principles behind a hybrid VTOL multicopter for humanitarian and medical missions.
|-
| '''Bee Plane'''
| [[TRL1 Bee Plane|Open TRL 1 – Bee Plane]]
| Early principles behind the Bee Plane concept and its possible mission applications.
|-
| '''Iso-Plane'''
| [[TRL1 Iso-Plane|Open TRL 1 – Iso-Plane]]
| Early principles behind the Iso-Plane concept and its initial technical assumptions.
|}

== Recommended structure for each TRL 1 project page ==

Each project-specific TRL 1 page should preferably follow the same structure:

# Mission or need
# Basic principles observed
# Early technical assumptions
# Comparable technologies or references
# Main opportunities
# Main uncertainties
# First risks
# Questions to solve before TRL 2
# Contributors and references

== Summary ==

TRL 1 is the starting point of a technology project.

It is the moment where the idea is still at the level of scientific observation and early reasoning.
The purpose is to create a clear foundation before formulating a structured technology concept at TRL 2.

<div style="border:1px solid #d8d8d8; background:#fafafa; padding:12px; border-radius:8px; margin-top:18px;">
'''Next step:''' once the basic principles are documented, each project can move toward '''TRL 2 – Technology concept formulated'''.
</div>

== See also ==

* [[TRL1 Mini-Bee|TRL 1 – Mini-Bee]]
* [[TRL1 Bee Plane|TRL 1 – Bee Plane]]
* [[TRL1 Iso-Plane|TRL 1 – Iso-Plane]]
* [[Technology Readiness Levels]]
* [[Collaborative Bee Projects]]

== Categories ==

[[Category:Technology Readiness Levels]]
[[Category:Project Management]]
[[Category:Collaborative Bee]]
[[Category:TRL 1]]