Walmart technology will take no-contact delivery to new heights in Dallas-Fort Worth
There will be no need to tip your Walmart delivery driver if it’s a drone zipping to your door.
Several stores in Fort Worth will partner with 18 drones to deliver items within a six-mile radius.
A Walmart on 8555 Preston Road in Frisco was the first to send drones as delivery mechanisms, according to a press release from the drone delivery service Wing.
About 11 Dallas-Fort Worth locations have participated in using the drone-led initiative.
Here’s the skinny on the new Walmart delivery service.
What are Walmart Wing drones?
The drones are made and operated by the Wing company and have been using their technology since 2018 nationally and in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2022.
The drones themselves are about five feet wide and four feet long and weigh about 11 pounds, but they can carry parcels under 2.5 lbs. At 65 mph, the drones can fly up to 12 miles. In the beginning phases of the Walmart partnership, the drones will only fly within six miles of the stores.
These mini planes are autonomous and built-in with GPS. However, there are pilots monitoring their activity who are based in Coppell. They also fly around 200 to 400 feet and interact with restricted airspace or wildlife territories.
How will Walmart drones deliver to your home?
To try out the new drone delivery, a customer must use the Wing app to order.
On the app, shoppers can choose from over 1,000 items within the weight limit. Options include medicines, grocery items, and household essentials.
Once added to the cart, customers can checkout and then patiently wait for their products. On the app, users can track drone delivery. According to a Community Impact report, drone deliveries can be made within 30 minutes of ordering.
“Look for the Wing aircraft (or get a notification)! Our aircraft gently lowers your order down on its tether and unclips the item for you. Wait until the package is fully unloaded, then unpack and enjoy,” says Wing in a news release.
Delivery is only available between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. It is also important to note that drone delivery for Walmart+ members is $12.99, while for non-members, it is $19.99, according to Walmart’s website.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 4:07 PM.