Skip to Content

Is the future of drone delivery already here? (Zipline's Keller Cliffton) | Rapid Response

About Keller

  • Co-founder & CEO of Zipline, the world's largest commercial autonomous system (2025)
  • Zipline operations span four continents; 100M+ commercial autonomous miles flown
  • Raised $500M+ from top investors: Sequoia, a16z, Softbank, and others
  • Zipline serves 5,000+ health facilities, delivers a package every 60 seconds (2025)
  • Former professional rock climber; innovated with DNA computers at Harvard

| 32:24

News coverage about drones often focuses on warfare, but the impact of this evolving technology is far broader. Zipline’s co-founder and CEO Keller Cliffton joins Rapid Response to chart the company’s recent expansion from transporting blood for life-saving transfusions in Rwanda, to retail deliveries across eight countries — including high-profile partnerships with the likes of Walmart, Chipotle, Panera, and the Mayo Clinic. Zipline’s do-good health efforts and commercial deliveries are all part of Cliffton’s vision for a radical, new transportation network. As we look to understand the societal impacts of AI and autonomy, Zipline is a case study in what’s possible for a future of consumers hungry for accessibility and speed.

Show Host
Host, Rapid Response
See Full Bio
RR_BobSafian_colorcutout
See Full Bio
RR_KellerCliffton_colorcutout
The world’s largest drone delivery service comes for retail
Zipline’s Keller Cliffton
Go to Episode
to Listen to
Zipline’s Keller Cliffton