Wing and Walmart plan to extend their drone delivery service to seven additional US metropolitan areas: Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and Salt Lake City. The expansion is expected to bring the companies’ service footprint to nearly 20 US markets. Wing and Walmart are working toward a network of more than 270 locations capable of reaching over 40 million people by 2027.
The service is currently available in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, metropolitan Atlanta and greater Houston. Additional launches have been planned for Orlando, Tampa, Charlotte, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Miami. Wing said its drones can travel at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and deliver packages in as little as 30 minutes. The aircraft lower packages by tether to designated areas such as yards and driveways. The service is intended for products including groceries, electronics and household goods.
“Our work with Walmart has shown that drone delivery isn’t just a novelty, it’s a service many customers count on multiple times per week,” Wing Chief Business Officer Heather Rivera said. Wing and Walmart plan to consult local officials and community members before beginning operations in the new markets. The delivery system is designed to serve single-family homes, apartment buildings and commercial locations. Customers within eligible delivery areas will be able to select drone delivery through Walmart’s app or website. Orders can also be placed through Wing’s app.
