{"id":339553,"date":"2026-07-14T13:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339553\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T13:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:03:09","slug":"baycare-turns-to-autonomous-drones-for-medical-deliveries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339553\/","title":{"rendered":"BayCare turns to autonomous drones for medical deliveries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drone deliveries of prescriptions, lab samples and medical supplies will begin operating in Tampa Bay under a new network that will transport items between hospitals and directly to patients\u2019 homes, beginning in Pinellas County in late 2027.<\/p>\n

BayCare will build the network with autonomous delivery company Zipline. Service will launch in the St. Petersburg<\/a>–Clearwater<\/a> area before expanding across the region. The health system did not disclose the project\u2019s cost.<\/p>\n

Providers will place an order into a designated loading station, where an autonomous aircraft retrieves the package and flies to its destination. <\/p>\n

Rather than landing, the aircraft remains up to 300 feet above the delivery site while lowering the package to the ground on a tether before returning to a charging station.<\/p>\n

\"AA Zipline drone demonstrates how BayCare plans to deliver prescriptions directly to patients\u2019 homes.<\/p>\n

BayCare plans to build two charging stations in Pinellas County, where the drones will recharge between flights.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new delivery option allows us to serve customers more quickly and reliably while giving patients more flexibility and convenience,\u201d President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Conners said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Read the latest Tampa business news and updates<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWorking with Zipline gives us the opportunity to build a more connected and efficient delivery network across West Central Florida and meet our patients where they are,\u201d said Donna Lynch, BayCare\u2019s vice president of laboratory services.<\/p>\n

Zipline has flown more than 135 million autonomous commercial miles and completed more than 20 million deliveries worldwide, according to the company. It has received Federal Aviation<\/a> Administration approval for its U.S. operations and has expanded into health care, retail<\/a> and restaurant<\/a> deliveries.<\/p>\n

BayCare said Zipline will not have access to patient medical information. The system uses package characteristics such as weight, dimensions and handling requirements rather than patient records to complete deliveries.<\/p>\n

Patients who choose home delivery will receive delivery windows and real-time tracking.<\/p>\n

Read More Tampa Bay Business News<\/p>\n

\n Explore the latest Tampa Bay business<\/a> news, real estate<\/a> deals, development projects, executive moves and company updates shaping the region.\n <\/p>\n

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