Zipline expands drone delivery leadership as U.S. growth accelerates

Zipline is adding several former Tesla, Uber and Waymo executives as it works to expand its drone delivery business in the United States and abroad. The South San Francisco company says the hires will support commercial growth, legal work and finance as it scales operations. The startup said it has completed more than 2.5 million deliveries since launching about 12 years ago. Its autonomous electric drones, which can carry items up to 8 pounds, have been used for medical supplies, food and retail orders. U.S. partners include Little Caesars, Chipotle, Cleveland Clinic, Walmart and more than 100 small businesses. Zipline said about 70% of its daily delivery volume now comes from the U.S., with service growing in cities such as Dallas and new expansion planned for Austin, Houston and Cleveland. The company also continues to grow in Africa, where it began with medical and humanitarian deliveries. CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton said the company expects continued U.S. expansion this year and into 2027.