The Arkansas-based retailer has teamed up with technology company DroneUp to make aerial drone deliveries in parts of Richardson and other North Texas cities.
“Drone delivery makes it possible for our customers to shop those last-minute or forgotten items with ease in a package that’s frankly really cool. Being on the forefront of that innovation at Walmart is something we’re proud of,” said Vik Gopalakrishnan, vice president of innovation and automation at Walmart U.S., in a statement.
Customers within a mile of the company’s Neighborhood Market location on 1501 Buckingham Road are able to place online orders at www.droneupdelivery.com between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. to have their order delivered by drones, according to a press release.
The drones are operated by certified pilots who decide the safest location to deliver an order, which is done by lowering a cable. According to Walmart, the drones can handle items up to 10 pounds and come with a $3.99 delivery fee. However, that fee can be waived for first-time users with the promo code "FreeDeliveryTX."
“It may seem like a futuristic option, but it’s giving our customers what they’ve always wanted, and that’s time back to focus on what is most important to them,” Gopalakrishnan said in the statement.
The Richardson store is one of 10 other stores across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to add the DroneUp services, including locations in Garland, Murphy, Mesquite, Plano, Dallas, Rowlett and The Colony.
Virginia-based DroneUp announced plans to enter the local market in May as part of an effort to expand across six states—Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia—and reach 4 million customers. The company joins other companies such as Flytrex and Wing in making drone deliveries in North Texas.
“Our approach is unique; we practice safety above all else and incorporate state-of-the-art technology,” DroneUp CEO Tom Walker said in a statement. “Our strong relationship with the [Federal Aviation Administration] has also been critical to our success as we build an infrastructure that supports growth and great career programs for operators now and in the future.”
