Fig. 2
From: Functional technology foresight. A novel methodology to identify emerging technologies
Types of technology evolution. At a certain point A in time it is possible either to improve existing technologies (optimization), making them more profitable in the short term, or invent a completely new technology (innovation). The new technology will grow along its own S-curve, eventually becoming more profitable than the old one. Just before that, at point B, the market will switch completely to the new technology