When you hear the word "Hyperloop," what comes into your mind? Some would immediately think of the distant future with modes of transportation which you can only see in a sci-fi movie. But the fact is, "Hyperloop" is a train that can transport cargo and passengers between cities with the speed above 700 miles per hour. The idea, as envisioned by Elon Musk in 2013, required a pressurized, above-ground subway that will reach hundreds of miles. 

According to CNN, several companies have answered Musk's open invitation to other individuals and firms to team up on the project. Meanwhile Musk was occupied with SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA).

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) was one of those startups who answered to Musk's invitation and on Thursday the firm publicized that it's creating real progress.

The company's CEO, Dirk Ahlborn, said, "Our team continues to grow and, along with these new alliances, is representative of the collaborative spirit of HTT and are key to our success in breaking ground in 2016. We receive applications from professionals and are approached by industry leading companies every day."

The company has 400 people, adept in related fields, who were contributing to the project by laboring part time in exchange for stock options. New partners such as vacuum firm Oerlikon, architects Hodgetts & Fung and engineering design firm ECOM have also been signed up by HTT.

On the other hand, SpaceX created a test track and has broadcasted a contest for engineers and students to design the passenger carrier, as per Gant Daily.

According to Gizmodo, both HTT and SpaceX may have test tracks in progress next year if things would work out smoothly. This would create an interesting side-by-side construction program between the two groups. The two firms may also be joined by a third group called Hyperloop Technologies, headed by an erstwhile SpaceX engineer.