Alignment of Living Lab Process with Technology Readiness Levels

Abstract

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale assesses the maturity of technologies within innovation processes, while Living Labs facilitate iterative, user-centred, multi-stage innovation. Although the TRL scale is widely adopted across various domains, the literature review confirms its underutilisation within Living Lab research. The findings highlight the more prominent role of Living Labs at TRL 7, reinforcing their relevance in real-world testing environments, whereas their involvement at other TRLs appears limited. Consequently, Living Lab practitioners should report their research protocols more rigorously to better demonstrate their contribution to technological advancement. To support this, a conceptual model is proposed, including a title and description of objectives, research environment, level of control in testing, as well as the prototype’s name, fidelity, and functionality, to help align Living Lab processes and activities with Technology Readiness Levels.