Drone package delivery takes flight at select Utah Walmart stores
Jan 5, 2023, 4:11 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm
Walmart's new drone delivery program is now available in select Utah locations. Utah is one of six states with the service. (Walmart)
(Walmart)
SALT LAKE CITY — A new package delivery method has taken flight in Utah with two Walmart stores announcing product delivery via drone.
Customers can order eligible items up to ten pounds within a mile of a participating location to have it delivered the same day on their doorstep in 30 minutes or less, according to a press release from Walmart.
Participating stores will house a DroneUp delivery hub with a team of certified pilots, operating within FAA guidelines, that safely manage flight operations for deliveries. (Walmart)
Drone delivery is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with a delivery fee of just $3.99.
While Walmart said the service was initially thought to be for customers urgent needs and emergency items, they found that customers have used it purely for its convenience — stating that the top-selling item at one drone hub is Hamburger Helper.
Just got my first drone delivery by @godroneup from @Walmart! Pretty cool. pic.twitter.com/mHAsZdUqgo
— Phil Libin (@plibin) December 4, 2022
The five customer favorites delivered via drone in 2022 included ice cream, lemons, rotisserie chicken, Red Bull, and paper towels.
The stores in Utah that offer this service are located at 585 N. State St in Lindon, and 5056 W 13400 S in Herriman.
Once a customer places an order, the item is fulfilled from the store, packaged, loaded into the drone and delivered right to their yard using a cable that gently lowers the package. (Walmart)
Delivery via drone was made possible in a partnership between Walmart and DroneUp. The program is available at a total of 36 locations across six states and has landed more than 6,000 deliveries.
DroneUp will also offer aid to local businesses with aerial drone solutions for their needs, for example, a local construction agency can use DroneUp to monitor on-site job progress.
Walmart said this additional drone service is a way for Walmart to give back to the community and help advance drone technology with flight data.
