Walmart to test drone delivery of grocery and household goods

Walmart said Wednesday it will soon start a pilot project for drone delivery of grocery and household products. The retailer is partnering for the test launch with end-to-end delivery firm Flytrex.

Today, we're announcing a new pilot with @flytrexcom, an end-to-end drone delivery company. We're looking forward to learning how these technologies can help us better serve our customers. https://t.co/zotWg5lQLJ pic.twitter.com/LVDFOO56RS

- Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) September 9, 2020

Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, and says the test starts Wednesday in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with drones controlled remotely through the internet picking up and dropping off shopped items.

From Reuters:

"We know that it will be some time before we see millions of packages delivered via drone. That still feels like a bit of science fiction," Tom Ward, senior vice-president, customer products, said in a statement.

The company has accelerated the expansion of its pick-up and delivery services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, as virus-wary consumers increasingly prefer having items delivered at their doorsteps.

There's more at Reuters.