A Big Drone Delivery Operation Is In the Works

The multinational retail corporation Walmart is conducting the first large-scale timely drone delivery operation across six states, a venture that could lead to the shipment over long distances all over the United States.

“If it fits safely, it flies,” says Tom Walker, CEO of delivery services company DroneUp. “We can manage airspace safely so [the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA] can assess that this is really a viable, scalable, business model.”

Walmart was already offering drone delivery in Arkansas and is expanding its market to Arizona, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. It will be possible for customers to choose among 100,000 different products to be delivered. They could receive their order – no heavier than 4.5 kg – in less than 30 minutes. The goal is to have, by the end of the year, drone delivery services in 34 sites, reaching up to 4 million households. In order to keep delivery fees low – it is set at $3.99 – Walmart and DroneUp are hoping to get revenues from other drone-related services like insurance inspections, emergency response, and construction oversight. The operation could inspire the FAA to prepare regulations for longer-distance drone delivery.