Walmart testing drone delivery of groceries, other products

Walmart announced on Wednesday it is launching a pilot project to test the delivery of some products from its stores using automated drones as it looks to expand on its distribution services. 

The company said it is rolling out the program in Fayetteville, N.C., to test the delivery of select grocery and household essential items using automated drones from the firm Flytrex. The drones are controlled over the cloud using a “smart and easy control dashboard” and will pick up and drop off items. 

“We know that it will be some time before we see millions of packages delivered via drone. That still feels like a bit of science fiction, but we’re at a point where we’re learning more and more about the technology that is available and how we can use it to make our customers’ lives easier,” Tom Ward, senior vice president, customer products, said in a statement. 

The drone program is just the latest effort from the retail behemoth to boost its pick-up and delivery services during the coronavirus pandemic as customers express concern over shopping in stores and opt instead for at-home delivery. 

Walmart has previously partnered with Ford and self-driving vehicle companies to pursue options to have products delivered via autonomous vehicles.

While the coronavirus has sparked widespread economic havoc, Walmart has seen its online sales grow, doubling in the second quarter of the year.