Memorial Hermann Health System will be the first health care provider in Houston to deploy Zipline's instant home delivery service, making autonomous drone deliveries of specialty prescriptions and medical supplies directly to patients' homes beginning in 2026.
Zipline is the world's largest drone delivery system and recently completed its one millionth commercial delivery. Zipline's next generation home delivery service, Platform 2 (P2), is expected to deliver up to seven times faster than traditional automobile delivery, completing deliveries in about a minute per mile. Patients can schedule deliveries for precise times and can track their order in real-time on their phone.
Memorial Hermann will use Zipline's P2 service, which uses autonomous, electric drones ("Zips") to deliver to urban and suburban areas quietly and conveniently. Once an order is loaded, the Zip flies to its destination and hovers safely and quietly high up in the sky, while its autonomous delivery droid descends on a tether, steers to the correct location, and precisely delivers to places as small as a patio table or the front steps of a house. Over time, Memorial Hermann may also use Zipline to transport medicine, supplies and lab samples between its system facilities.
The Zips can quickly and quietly deliver in rain, wind, extreme cold and other conditions that would normally slow down automotive transport like rush-hour traffic, and with zero emissions. Memorial Hermann and Zipline are working together on all necessary approvals to serve the area and will share more information about how to sign-up for the service before it launches.
