TRL1

Technology Readiness Level 1 – Basic Principles Observed
A common reference page for the first maturity step of the Collaborative Bee projects.

TRL Level	TRL 1
Name	Basic principles observed
Project phase	Scientific observation, first ideas, early conceptual exploration
Expected output	Initial concept notes, scientific principles, early assumptions, first technical questions
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:

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:

How mature is this technology, and what evidence supports this maturity level?

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

TRL	Typical meaning	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

Deliverable	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:

#	Exit criterion	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.

Project	TRL 1 page	Purpose
Mini-Bee	Open TRL 1 – Mini-Bee	Early principles behind a hybrid VTOL multicopter for humanitarian and medical missions.
Bee Plane	Open TRL 1 – Bee Plane	Early principles behind the Bee Plane concept and its possible mission applications.
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.

Next step: once the basic principles are documented, each project can move toward TRL 2 – Technology concept formulated.