Alphabet’s aviation subsidiary, Wing, is partnering with Walmart to launch drone deliveries in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metro area. The service will begin in the coming weeks from a Walmart Supercenter in Frisco, TX, with plans to expand to a second location before the end of the year. The drones will be able to deliver items such as quick meals, groceries, and over-the-counter medicines to homes within a six-mile radius of the supported stores, with a coverage area of 60,000 homes. Wing’s drones are largely automated and can fly up to 65 mph. The company claims that customers will receive their items in under 30 minutes, and the drones use a retractable tether to safely deliver delicate items.
Wing’s technology allows operators to oversee the drone delivery system from a remote location, eliminating the need for pilots to be stationed at stores or customer homes. The company has previously partnered with Walgreens for drone deliveries in the DFW region. Meanwhile, Walmart has its own DroneUp delivery service that has covered around four million households in several states. However, earlier this year, Walmart laid off 418 DroneUp employees. 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 and enter their address. Wing plans to add new DFW neighborhoods soon for those who are currently not eligible.
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