The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Autonomous drone delivery in a Zip (Interview)
Dec 10, 2025
Keenan Wyrobek, cofounder and CTO of Zipline, is revolutionizing logistics with autonomous drones, starting with medical deliveries in Rwanda. He shares how Zipline overcame technical and regulatory hurdles to deliver packages directly to consumers. The conversation delves into the innovative twin-drone design, environmental benefits, and the rigorous testing process that ensures safety. Keenan also discusses the economic impact of instant delivery on small businesses and the collaborative spirit among industry players like Amazon and Wing.
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Starting With Life-Saving Blood Deliveries
- Zipline began by delivering blood to hospitals in Rwanda, discovered through conversations with health workers and partners.
- Keenan Wyrobek says centralizing blood and delivering by need drastically reduces waste and saves lives.
Double-Drone Design Enables Quiet Precision
- The two-part aircraft (heavy carrier + small delivery zip) trades distance for quiet, precise doorstep delivery.
- Keeping the main drone high makes operation silent while the small zip handles precision in tight spaces.
Release Flight Software With Rigorous Cadence
- Treat flight software as flight critical and release it on a controlled cadence with heavy testing.
- Zipline ships flight software roughly every six weeks after tens of thousands of test runs and hardware-in-the-loop validation.