IDology #9 - NASAs TRL scale in product development

IDology · 28 Feb 2023 · 1h 00m · Episode 9

What this episode covers

Voytek and Mikołaj from the industrial design studio Mindsailors discuss adapting NASA's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale for product development to manage client expectations and clarify the definition of 'prototype'. They walk through the nine stages, explaining how TRL 1-3 covers initial concepts and proof of concept, while TRL 4-6 involves testing components and systems in relevant environments. The conversation highlights the transition from laboratory validation to real-world user testing at TRL 7-8, culminating in a 'golden sample' or MVP that is ready for manufacturing tooling.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Product Startup · 28m

    114: Designing an MVP for a New Consumer Product

    Magnus Skold, a senior industrial designer at Mako Design + Invent, explains the concept of a 'smart' Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for startups, emphasizing that simplicity and core feature focus drive better quality, lower costs, and smoother production than feature creep. He draws on his experience designing for high-end private jets, commercial airlines, and Dell to illustrate how 'levels of complication' in design directly impact manufacturing complexity and vendor communication. The discussion highlights the importance of matching product aesthetics to their usage environment and making 'free' versus 'costly' design choices to ensure a product is intuitive, robust, and ready for market validation.

  • Product Startup · 38m

    164: The 3 Prototyping Phases for New Product Development

    Tim Uys, Head of Design at Mako Design + Invent, outlines the three critical phases of prototyping for hardware startups: mock, mechanical, and refined prototypes. He explains that starting with low-cost 3D printed mockups allows for rapid iteration of form and ergonomics, while mechanical prototypes use higher-fidelity methods like CNC machining to validate complex functions and material strength. Uys emphasizes that a final refined prototype is essential for securing manufacturing partners and investors, as it proves the product's viability and reduces the risk of costly errors during mass production.

  • Product Startup · 25m

    149: How to Professionally Prototype your Invention Idea

    Mike Morton, former Senior Principal Industrial Designer at Dell, HP, and Sunbeam, explains the critical role of prototyping in product development. He details the progression from rough mock prototypes to refined mechanical and pre-production samples, emphasizing that early, iterative testing prevents costly errors in tooling and manufacturing. Morton advises startups to involve manufacturers early in the design process to ensure designs are manufacturable and to use short pilot runs to validate the production line before full-scale launch.

  • Predictable Designs Podcast · 17m

    The Ugly Truth About Prototyping a New Product

    Host John Teel explains the iterative stages of prototyping electronic hardware, emphasizing that no single prototype suffices for mass production. He details the progression from low-cost Proof of Concept (POC) prototypes using development kits like Arduino or Raspberry Pi to 'looks-like' models made of clay or 3D printed, and 'works-like' prototypes with custom PCBs. Teel outlines the critical transition to pre-production prototypes optimized for injection molding, followed by Engineering Validation Testing (EVT), Design Validation Testing (DVT) for certifications like FCC and UL, and Production Validation Testing (PVT) for pilot runs.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 12m

    Interview with Eric Ries - Transorted Testing Tachydidaxy

    Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, discusses applying lean manufacturing principles to product development, emphasizing rapid experimentation and the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). He explains how hardware companies can use mockups, soft tooling, and service contracts to iterate quickly and validate customer demand before committing to expensive hard tooling. Ries argues that internal risks and bureaucratic silos are the primary barriers to speed, not technical constraints, and that companies must pivot their management systems to handle uncertainty.

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