TRL in engineering stands for Technology Readiness Level, a system for assessing the maturity of a technology on a scale of 1 to 9. It tracks a technology’s journey from basic research (TRL 1) to being flight-proven or commercially available (TRL 9) and is widely used in complex projects like aerospace and automotive engineering for project management, risk assessment, and funding applications.
Critical Path to achieving TRL 9
TRL 1
DESCRIPTION : Basic Principles Observed
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Identify fundamental scientific/engineering principles.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : None
DELIVERABLE : Technical memo or literature review.
STATUS : Achieved
TRL 2
DESCRIPTION : Technology Concept Formulated
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS Define conceptual design, perform initial feasibility checks
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : None
DELIVERABLE : PTL technology review report. Polestar IPS patents.
STATUS : Achieved
TRL 3
DESCRIPTION : Experimental Proof of Concept
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Run preliminary simulations and modeling. Assess feasibility. Concept designs.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : None
DELIVERABLE : Simulation results and subsystem test data.
STATUS Requires 3-6 months
TRL 4
DESCRIPTION : Experimental Proof of Concept
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Technology Validated in Lab
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Create detailed CAD models. System, structural, thermal, & control analysis.
DELIVERABLE : Build lab prototypes; perform functional testing in controlled conditions. Testing report, including correlation to analytical models and detailed design documentation.
STATUS : Requires 6-9 months
TRL 5
DESCRIPTION : Validated in Relevant Environment
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Iterate design and update analysis based on TRL 4 results.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Integrate subsystem prototype into simulated vehicle environment & test under relevant conditions.
DELIVERABLE Prototype test report and validation testing summary.
STATUS : Requires 6-9 months
TRL 6
DESCRIPTION : Prototype Demonstrated in Relevant Environment.
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Finalize system design based on TRL 5 results. Ensure interface and system compliance.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Test full prototype in controlled vehicle environment.
DELIVERABLE : Integration test report and design validation results.
STATUS : Requires 6-12 months
TRL 7
DESCRIPTION : Prototype Demonstrated in Operational Environment
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Fine-tune design based on in-vehicle test feedback. Verify DFM/DFS.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Field test in operational vehicle. Monitor real-world reliability and safety.
DELIVERABLE : Operational test reports and field data logs.
STATUS : Requires 6+ months
TRL 8
DESCRIPTION : System Complete and Qualified
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Lock down production-ready design. Perform DFMEA. Finalise specs.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Perform regulatory, durability, and qualification testing.
DELIVERABLE : Certification reports, final design package, and test results.
STATUS : Requires 6+ months
TRL 9
DESCRIPTION : System Proven in Operational Use
DESIGN & ANALYSIS TASKS : Monitor field data. Support root-cause analysis. Feed updates into future design cycles.
HARDWARE & TESTING TASKS : Production hardware in full operation. Long-term performance and failure data collected.
DELIVERABLE : In-service performance report and customer feedback summary.
STATUS : Requires 6+ months