# TRL7 - prototype version in real environment The difference between TRL7 and [[TRL6 - prototype version in relevant environment]] is obviously that it’s in a ‘real’ environment instead of a ‘relevant’ environment. The between a relevant and a real environment is the difference between someone using the system while you’re standing over their shoulder and can guide them through the process or fix something that goes wrong to actually letting your baby fully go. So this means someone using an app on their own phone, installing the software on a customers server etc. How does this correspond to clinical trials in biology? See that picture from [[Science Business - Book]] In traditional TRLs this ‘real’ means ‘space’ but many things aren’t intended to be used in space. In human-focused biotech this is where Human Clincal trials begin. It’s conceivable that trying to go from [[TRL6 - prototype version in relevant environment]] to [[TRL7 - prototype version in real environment]] could send you all the way back to [[TRL4 - Breadboard version in lab]] if there is a fundamental piece of the system that needs to be ripped out and replaced. <!-- #evergreen --> [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/TRL7+-+prototype+version+in+real+environment) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/TRL7+-+prototype+version+in+real+environment)