Drones & Droids: Zipline’s Rapid Deliveries
October 29, 2024
In the latest episode of With Intent, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore how Zipline is transforming access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas where critical gaps persist.
THE ZIPLINE IMPACT IN RWANDA
A GLOBAL LOGISTICS INNOVATION
Zipline launched its operations in Rwanda in 2016, initially serving 21 hospitals. By 2019, they were delivering 75 percent of the country’s blood supply outside the capital, reducing blood wastage and maternal deaths.
But this issue extends far beyond Rwanda. Over 4 billion people worldwide live in rural areas with limited healthcare access, leading to preventable deaths due to a lack of medical supplies.
Founded in 2014 by Keller Renaudo Cliffton and Keenan Wyrobek, Zipline set out to solve these logistical challenges by developing autonomous drones capable of delivering medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
Zipline now operates in Ghana, Japan, the United States, and other countries, partnering with retailers like Walmart and expanding their delivery scope to include retail and various medical supplies.
See How Zipline Works
This 5-minute video demonstrates how Zipline works from a process and logistics perspective. It also underscores its important impact.
Zipline demonstrates the power of practical problem-solving in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
This season of With Intent explores some of the most groundbreaking design solutions in recent history, inspired by ID’s award-winning list of 100 Great Designs of Modern Times (originally featured in Fortune magazine).
Zipline is #69 on that list.
Listen to Season 3: Episode 4 of With Intent now to learn more about Zipline’s innovative drone design, as well its embrace of regulation.
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