TRL1

Technology Readiness Level 1 – Basic Principles Observed

This page introduces the first maturity level of the Technology Readiness Level scale and provides a common entry point for the TRL 1 documentation of the Collaborative Bee projects.

Project access

Mini-Bee Hybrid VTOL multicopter concept for humanitarian, emergency and light air ambulance missions. Open TRL 1 – Mini-Bee

Bee Plane Early-stage aircraft concept developed within the Collaborative Bee framework. Open TRL 1 – Bee Plane

Iso-Plane Early-stage aircraft concept based on specific technical and operational assumptions. Open TRL 1 – Iso-Plane

Purpose of this page

This page defines the meaning of Technology Readiness Level 1 (TRL 1) and explains how it is used within the Collaborative Bee project framework.

It is designed to provide a shared reference before accessing the project-specific TRL 1 pages.

Objective: provide a clear and professional maturity framework for early-stage project documentation.

What are Technology Readiness Levels?

Technology Readiness Levels are a structured scale used to assess the maturity of a technology.

They help project teams, contributors, partners and stakeholders understand whether a technology is still at the stage of scientific observation, concept formulation, prototype development, validation, qualification or operational use.

TRLs are useful for:

• structuring research and development activities;
• clarifying the maturity of each project;
• supporting technical reviews;
• preparing industrial development roadmaps;
• improving communication with academic, industrial and institutional partners;
• anticipating certification and validation work.

TRL maturity pathway

TRL 1	TRL 2	TRL 3	TRL 4	TRL 5	TRL 6	TRL 7	TRL 8	TRL 9
Basic principles	Concept	Proof of concept	Laboratory validation	Relevant environment	Demonstration	Operational prototype	Qualified system	Operational use

TRL scale overview

Level	Name	General meaning
TRL 1	Basic principles observed	Scientific or technical principles are identified.
TRL 2	Technology concept formulated	A possible application is described.
TRL 3	Experimental proof of concept	First analytical or experimental evidence supports the concept.
TRL 4	Technology validated in laboratory	Key functions are validated 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 prototype demonstrates the main functions.
TRL 7	System prototype demonstrated in operational environment	A prototype is demonstrated in realistic operational conditions.
TRL 8	System complete and qualified	The system is completed, tested and qualified.
TRL 9	Actual system proven in operational use	The technology is proven through real operational use.

Definition of TRL 1

TRL 1 – Basic Principles Observed is the first maturity level of a technology project.

At this stage, the objective is to identify the scientific, physical, technical or operational principles that may support a future concept.

TRL 1 does not mean that a product, prototype or complete architecture already exists. It means that the first technical foundations have been identified and can be documented.

Observe Identify basic scientific, technical or operational principles.

Question List assumptions, opportunities, unknowns and early risks.

Prepare Create the documentation base before moving toward a formulated concept.

TRL 1 within Collaborative Bee projects

Within the Collaborative Bee framework, TRL 1 is used to document the starting point of each project in a consistent and reusable way.

For each project, TRL 1 should clarify:

• the mission or need addressed by the project;
• the basic principles that justify the concept;
• the initial assumptions;
• comparable technologies or references;
• the main uncertainties;
• the first technical and operational risks;
• the questions that must be answered before moving to TRL 2.

This approach supports continuity between academic, industrial and individual contributors.

Expected outputs at TRL 1

Output	Description
Mission statement	First description of the operational need or opportunity addressed by the project.
Basic principles note	Identification of the main scientific or technical principles supporting the idea.
Initial assumptions	Early assumptions about the system, mission, environment, energy, structure or operation.
Reference technologies	First list of comparable systems, technologies, publications or existing projects.
Open questions	Main questions that must be studied before formulating a complete concept.
Initial risk list	First identification of technical, safety, operational, regulatory or industrial risks.

What is not expected at TRL 1

No final design The architecture is not frozen at this stage.

No prototype Physical demonstration is not required at TRL 1.

No certification evidence Compliance demonstration belongs to later stages.

No industrial plan Industrialization is not expected at this level.

TRL 1 exit criteria

A project may move from TRL 1 to TRL 2 when the following criteria are sufficiently documented:

#	Criterion	Status
1	The basic principles have been identified.	To be assessed
2	A possible application has been described.	To be assessed
3	The initial assumptions are documented.	To be assessed
4	The main uncertainties and risks are listed.	To be assessed
5	A first concept direction can be formulated.	To be assessed

Recommended structure for project-specific TRL 1 pages

Each project-specific TRL 1 page should follow a common structure to ensure clarity and comparability across projects.

#	Section	Purpose
1	Project overview	Present the project and its general objective.
2	Mission or need	Explain the operational need addressed by the project.
3	Basic principles observed	Identify the scientific, technical or operational principles behind the idea.
4	Initial technical assumptions	List the first working assumptions.
5	Comparable technologies or references	Identify relevant existing systems or references.
6	Main opportunities	Explain the potential value of the project.
7	Main uncertainties	Identify what is still unknown.
8	Initial risks	List early technical, operational, safety or regulatory risks.
9	Questions to solve before TRL 2	Define the key questions to answer before concept formulation.
10	Contributors and references	List contributors and useful documentation.

Summary

TRL 1 is the foundation level of a technology project.

It provides a structured starting point before the project moves toward a formulated concept. Its role is to document the first principles, the initial assumptions and the key questions that will guide the next stages of development.

Next step: once TRL 1 is sufficiently documented, the project may progress toward TRL 2 – Technology Concept Formulated.

See also

• TRL 1 – Mini-Bee
• TRL 1 – Bee Plane
• TRL 1 – Iso-Plane
• Technology Readiness Levels
• Collaborative Bee Projects