SpaceX Hyperloop: a future technology disruption of the transportation system?
ISSN: 1463-6689
Article publication date: 6 July 2021
Issue publication date: 10 August 2021
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Professor Iain Cockburn, Suleeporn Sujichantararat, Eric Hinterman, Jacob Fure-Slocum, Vik Parthiban, Deborah Navarro, Professor Varughese K. John, the Hyperloop project team at MIT and all the industry experts for the research guidance and advice.
Citation
Harris, W.L. and Wonglimpiyarat, J. (2021), "SpaceX Hyperloop: a future technology disruption of the transportation system?", Foresight, Vol. 23 No. 5, pp. 528-543. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-08-2020-0077
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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