TRL1
TRL 1 is the starting point of an innovation journey: the moment when scientific principles, first observations and early ideas become structured enough to open a technology project.
Explain what TRL 1 means and provide a shared entry point for the first maturity stage of the Collaborative Bee projects.
At TRL 1, the technology is not yet designed or validated. The goal is to identify the basic principles that may support a future concept.
When the first principles are clear, the project can move toward TRL 2: technology concept formulated.
Project TRL 1 pages
Hybrid VTOL multicopter concept for humanitarian, emergency and light air ambulance missions.
Aircraft concept exploring new principles for transport, efficiency and collaborative aviation development.
Early aircraft concept focused on first physical principles, possible use cases and technical assumptions.
What are Technology Readiness Levels?
Technology Readiness Levels — or TRLs — are a maturity scale used to describe how far a technology has progressed.
They help a project team understand whether an idea is still a scientific observation, a concept, a prototype, a validated system, or an operational product.
Simple question behind TRLs: how mature is the technology, and what evidence do we have to prove it?
TRL scale overview
| Level | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| TRL 1 | Basic principles observed | Scientific principles are identified. The idea is at the earliest stage. |
| 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 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 prototype demonstrates the main functions. |
| TRL 7 | 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. |
| TRL 9 | System proven in operational use | The technology is fully operational and used in real missions. |
Focus on TRL 1
At this stage, the project team observes a principle, identifies a possible opportunity and starts collecting the first technical questions.
TRL 1 is not a prototype stage. It is not a validation stage. It is the moment where the first foundations are written clearly enough to open a structured project.
What happens at TRL 1?
|
1. Observe Identify scientific, physical, technical or operational principles that may support a future technology. |
2. Question List the first unknowns, assumptions, risks and possible limitations. |
3. Structure Create the first project page, organize the reasoning and prepare the transition toward TRL 2. |
Typical TRL 1 deliverables
| Deliverable | Description |
|---|---|
| Mission or need statement | First explanation of the problem, mission or opportunity. |
| Basic principles note | Short description of the scientific or technical principles observed. |
| Initial assumptions | Early assumptions about mass, energy, structure, operation, mission or environment. |
| Comparable references | First list of existing technologies, projects, papers or systems that may inspire the concept. |
| Open questions | Questions that must be answered before moving to TRL 2. |
| First risk list | Early technical, operational, safety or regulatory risks. |
What is not expected at TRL 1?
No prototype required
No final architecture required
No certification evidence required
No detailed industrial plan required
TRL 1 exit criteria
A project can normally move from TRL 1 to TRL 2 when the following points are clear enough:
| # | Criterion | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The basic principles have been identified. | To be assessed |
| 2 | A possible application has been described. | To be assessed |
| 3 | The main assumptions are listed. | To be assessed |
| 4 | The main unknowns and risks are documented. | To be assessed |
| 5 | A first concept direction can be formulated. | To be assessed |
Suggested structure for each project TRL 1 page
Each project-specific TRL 1 page should preferably follow this 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 foundation stage.
It transforms an intuition into a documented starting point. It does not prove that the technology works yet. It simply gives the project a clear first base for future concept work, technical studies and collaboration.
After TRL 1, the project may move toward TRL 2 – Technology Concept Formulated, where the first concept is described and linked to a potential application.