Fusing technology readiness levels (TRLs) and safe-by-design (SbB) for guiding investment in emerging technologies

Abstract Effectively evaluating emerging technologies requires navigating both immense potential and significant uncertainty. While Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) offer a standard for tracking technical progress, they often postpone vital safety assessments. This can lead to technologically mature innovations facing unexpected safety hurdles late in development, jeopardizing commercial viability, and squandering resources. This paper introduces an integrated framework combining TRLs with Safe-by-Design (SBD) principles to address this critical gap. By weaving safety analysis into the entire development continuum from the outset, our TRL-SBD approach aims to identify and mitigate risks proactively. This concurrent focus on safety and technical maturation is designed to smooth the path to market for innovative technologies, increasing the likelihood of successful, responsible commercialization without hindering early-stage exploration. We outline the framework’s conceptual foundation and demonstrate its application through analytical methods, offering a practical tool for guiding investment and R&D toward safer, more robust technological outcomes.