Walmart drone delivery coming to Utah, five other states

SALT LAKE CITY — Walmart has announced plans to bring its drone delivery service to several stores across the United States, including Utah’s capital city.

The company says it will expand its DroneUp delivery network to 34 sites by the end of 2022, including at least one site in Salt Lake City.

Walmart could deliver up to 1 million packages by drone each year, potentially reaching 4 million households across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Customers can use the drone delivery service between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to order thousands of items, ranging from hotdog buns to diapers and Tylenol.

“Participating stores will house a DroneUp delivery hub inclusive of a team of certified pilots, operating within FAA guidelines, that safely manage flight operations for deliveries,” read a press release from Walmart. “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.”

Deliveries could reach Salt Lake City homes in as little as 30 minutes. Walmart officials said each delivery can support up to 10 lbs. and will cost $3.99.

“If it fits safely, it flies,” they said.

Existing drone hubs have completed hundreds of flights, and Walmart officials said they’ve been surprised at how customers have utilized the service.

“While we initially thought customers would use the service for emergency items, we’re finding they use it for its sheer convenience, like a quick fix for a weeknight meal. Case in point: The top-selling item at one of our current hubs is Hamburger Helper.”

Beyond grocery delivery

Walmart also plans to allow local businesses and municipalities to use its drone infrastructure for “areas like insurance, emergency response and real estate.”

The company says the additional revenue will help offset delivery costs while gathering flight data to expand drone operations in a safe and regulated way.