Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the possibility that Hyperloop using air levitation technology would create a revolution in the future industry of transportation. It also analyses the financing dimension in bringing Hyperloop technology towards full-scale commercialisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a case study of SpaceX Hyperloop. The analyses if Hyperloop would bring about a paradigmatic shift in the transportation industry are based on the classical economic theories of technology S-curves (Utterback and Abernathy, 1975; Fisher and Pry, 1971) and Schumpeter’s model of economic development (Schumpeter, 1939, 1967). The three factors influencing a paradigmatic change (a shift in technoeconomic paradigm) according to Freeman and Perez (1988) are also explored.

Findings

The analyses of findings have shown that Hyperloop has not yet met three factors influencing a paradigmatic change. However, the Hyperloop technology has the potential to create a new market of mass transportation. In terms of technology financing, SpaceX needs the right financing infrastructure – corporate venture arm, the crowdfunding platform, initial coin offering, as well as debt and equity financing to accelerate the process of commercialisation. As the project moves forward, Hyperloop technology would create a market for itself (innovation to create the demand and not demand to create innovation).v

Originality/value

Although the body of literature on technology management is already voluminous, there has been a scarcity of past research devoted to elucidating the technology disruption and technology financing. This research study has applied the concepts of technology S-curves to better understand if SpaceX Hyperloop would bring about a paradigm shift or revolution in the future of the transportation industry. The research findings would help fill an identified knowledge gap in the body of research in technology disruption and financing.

中文翻译：

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SpaceX Hyperloop：交通系统的未来技术颠覆？

目的

本文旨在探讨使用空气悬浮技术的超级高铁是否会在未来的交通运输行业中掀起一场革命。它还分析了将 Hyperloop 技术推向全面商业化的融资维度。

设计/方法/方法

该研究使用 SpaceX Hyperloop 的案例研究。超级高铁是否会带来运输业范式转变的分析基于技术 S 曲线的经典经济理论（Utterback 和 Abernathy，1975；Fisher 和 Pry，1971）和 Schumpeter 的经济发展模型（Schumpeter，1939， 1967）。根据 Freeman 和 Perez (1988) 的说法，影响范式变化（技术经济范式的转变）的三个因素也进行了探讨。

发现

对调查结果的分析表明，Hyperloop 尚未满足影响范式变化的三个因素。然而，Hyperloop 技术有潜力创造一个新的大众运输市场。在技​​术融资方面，SpaceX 需要合适的融资基础设施——企业风险投资部门、众筹平台、首次代币发行以及债务和股权融资，以加快商业化进程。随着项目的推进，Hyperloop 技术将为自己创造一个市场（创新创造需求，而不是需求创造创新）v。

原创性/价值

尽管关于技术管理的文献已经很多，但过去致力于阐明技术中断和技术融资的研究很少。这项研究应用了技术 S 曲线的概念，以更好地了解 SpaceX Hyperloop 是否会在未来的交通运输行业带来范式转变或革命。研究结果将有助于填补技术中断和融资研究主体中已确定的知识空白。