Walmart’s grocery drone deliveries are taking off in Atlanta.
The world’s largest retailer gave Good Morning America an exclusive look inside its so-called drone nest, where its latest aerial delivery program launches on Wednesday.
Walmart, which previously announced in June that it would launch the delivery option in five cities, has partnered with Wing to expand to the Atlanta metropolitan area, adding options to millions of shoppers.
Walmart – Photos: Walmart’s new drone delivery system is rolling out in Atlanta.
The company became the first retailer to expand drone delivery in five states and set a new standard among industry rivals vying for control of the market for last-minute delivery orders.
Amazon just launched its new “super-fast” Amazon Now delivery service, Uber Eats uses autonomous robots for food delivery, and DoorDash is experimenting with drones.
The expansion, which also includes Houston, Charlotte, Tampa and Orlando, will begin early next year, while stores in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas areas have already deployed lightweight drones.
The drone sits on a separate charging pad until an order is received via the Wing app, which notifies the team to pack the order and load it onto the drone, which then flies to the designated delivery location within five minutes. In the app, customers can track their packages and view a countdown to their arrival.
The drone will hover approximately 150 yards above the ground, then slowly lower the package using a rope and safely release the package upon contact with the ground.
The drones can carry packages weighing up to two and a half pounds and fly within a six-mile radius of a Walmart store, avoiding traffic, stop signs and pedestrians. They also follow FAA guidelines and are equipped with sensors to avoid snags during delivery.
Popular delivery items so far have typically included medicine, ice cream, eggs and even a small roast chicken.
Walmart hopes to continue expanding its drone delivery service across the country.
