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
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Mini-Bee Hybrid VTOL multicopter concept for humanitarian, emergency and light air ambulance missions. |
Bee Plane Early-stage aircraft concept developed within the Collaborative Bee framework. |
Iso-Plane Early-stage aircraft concept based on specific technical and operational assumptions. |
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.
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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.