Walmart is increasing the number of homes that can receive on-demand drone deliveries through a new partnership with Wing.
The retailer has already completed more than 10,000 drone deliveries across seven states and 36 stores, but in order to expand the operation further, it's "teaming up" with the Alphabet-owned drone-delivery provider Wing.
The collaboration will result in two new Wing service areas appearing in the Dalles-Fort Worth metroplex. The first will cover a six-mile radius around the Walmart Supercenter at 8555 Preston Road in Frisco, and the second will be an as-yet unannounced, but nearby Walmart store. Both will offer drone deliveries before the end of 2023, and will serve over 60,000 homes.
To find out if you live close enough to either store to qualify for drone deliveries, download the Wing app for Android or iOS and enter your address. If you do, then Walmart says you'll be able to order a wide range of products including "frozen treats (when those ice cream cravings hit), household essentials, last-minute meal solutions like macaroni and cheese, and even fragile items like egg."
Wing confirmed that it's extending the hours it operates, so deliveries can arrive between 10:30am and 6:30pm six days a week. No deliveries are made on Wednesdays, which is strange seeing as the drones are automated. Your delivery from Walmart should arrive in under 30 minutes thanks to the drone flying at 65mph, and your package can be lowered on a tether to a precise (and safe) location of your choosing.