In a move to expand its drone delivery services, Walmart Inc. has joined forces with Alphabet Inc.’s Wing unit to initiate their longest drone deliveries yet, setting up operations at two of its Dallas stores.
Under this partnership, Wing’s drones are capable of transporting food and household essentials up to six miles from these retail locations.
Walmart’s flying high
Prathibha Rajashekhar, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Automation at Walmart’s US division, confirmed this development in a statement.
“With drones that can fly beyond visual line of sight, we’re able to unlock on-demand delivery for customers living within an approximate 6-mile range of the stores that offer the service,” said Rajashekhar.
Shannon Nash, Chief Financial Officer of Alphabet’s Wing unit, emphasized the advanced technology behind the system, which enables remote monitoring and operation. This eliminates the need for pilots to be stationed at the stores or customer residences.
“It will be available to homes within approximately six miles of the stores. But if you’re looking for a pilot with a joystick, you’re not going to find that… Wing’s technology allows operators to oversee the system from a remote location, which means pilots won’t need to be stationed at stores or customer homes.
“The aircraft essentially fly themselves, so each operator is approved to safely oversee many drones at the same time,” said Nash in a statement.
Under its wing
Though the Walmart-Wing partnership’s current scope is limited to just two stores, its significance lies in the considerable delivery range it offers. While widespread drone deliveries throughout the US might still be a few years away, subject to FAA regulations and technological advancements, this initiative in Dallas underscores the commitment of retailers to utilize aerial robotic systems for online customer service.
Initial drone deliveries are slated to commence in the upcoming weeks from a Walmart Supercenter located in Frisco, Texas. Additionally, another store is set to be integrated into the network by the end of the year.
By launching drone operations from these two sites, Walmart envisions providing drone coverage to approximately 60,000 households.
Get a drone delivery
The service will be accessible from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm every day except Wednesdays, with deliveries expected to be completed in under 30 minutes. Prospective users can determine their eligibility by downloading the Wing app. Initially, deliveries made through the app will be free of charge, with the potential for adjustments as the service evolves.
Also read: DJI has revealed its first delivery drone, the DJI FlyCart 30
Wing’s drones maintain a cruising speed of 65 miles per hour (105km per hour) and use a tether mechanism to deliver items. The drones exhibit the ability to handle even delicate items like egg cartons, accurately placing them outside customers’ residences as specified.
Not its first rodeo
Both Walmart and Wing have been involved in prior drone initiatives within the Dallas area. Wing initiated deliveries last year from a Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. store, catering to customers in Frisco and nearby Little Elm, Texas.
On the other hand, Walmart has established aerial delivery hubs in partnership with DroneUp LLC, a company in which Walmart holds partial ownership. These aerial delivery operations extend to states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Utah, and Virginia.
In addition to its collaboration with Wing, Walmart has ventured into drone projects alongside Zipline International Inc. and Flytrex Inc. With a cumulative total of 36 stores across seven states offering drone services and over 10,000 completed deliveries, Walmart is undoubtedly leading in the evolving landscape of drone-based on-demand deliveries.
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About the author
Marce has contributed tech to various prominent publications since 2018, offering a transparent perspective into the tech industry and its effects on its users. She now spends her time developing insightful content for industry players. You know, when she's not gaming or geeking out about the latest fad.
