Walmart has partnered with Alphabet’s aviation subsidiary, Wing, to launch drone deliveries in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metro area. The service will start operating in the coming weeks from a Walmart Supercenter in Frisco, TX, and is expected to expand to a second location before the end of the year. These deliveries will cover around 60,000 homes in the area.
Residents within a six-mile radius of the supported stores will have access to this service. They will be able to order quick meals, groceries, essentials, and over-the-counter medicines. The drones used by Wing are capable of flying up to 65 mph, ensuring that customers receive their items in under 30 minutes. The drones are equipped with a retractable tether, enabling them to gently deliver delicate items such as eggs and frozen treats.
One of the main advantages of Wing’s drone delivery system is its automation. The technology allows operators to oversee the entire system from a remote location, eliminating the need for pilots to be stationed at stores or customer homes. The drones essentially fly themselves, and each operator can safely oversee multiple drones at the same time.
Wing has previously partnered with Walgreens to provide drone deliveries in the DFW region. On the other hand, Walmart launched its own DroneUp delivery service in 2022, covering millions of households in several states. However, the retailer reportedly laid off 418 DroneUp employees earlier this year.
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To check eligibility for the Wing drone delivery service in the DFW metroplex, residents can install the Wing Drone Delivery app from the App Store or Google Play. By creating an account and entering their address, users can view the results. If deliveries are marked as “coming soon,” their area will be covered once the service begins. Wing has also announced plans to add new DFW neighborhoods in the future.
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