Northwest Arkansas to get Walmart drone delivery service

 

Walmart plans to launch a drone delivery service in the northwest Arkansas town of Pea Ridge but first must win approval from town leaders.

Drones will be able to carry up to four pounds and have a 50-mile radius. Walmart is launching the service in partnership with Zipline International Inc. which made the request of the Pea Ridge Planning Commission.

Commissioners will meet Jan. 5 to consider the request.

Pea Ridge is a small community near Bentonville, Arkansas, home of Walmart.

Benoit Miquel, a deployments manager for Zipline said the two partnered earlier in the year to create a “first-in-the nation” drone delivery according to a report by the Pea Ridge Times.

“After a significant search of Walmart stores across Northwest Arkansas, we would like to first launch this service at the Walmart Neighborhood Market located in Pea Ridge,” wrote Miquel in a letter to Pea Ridge officials.

Miquel told the town leaders that the drone delivery facility would also  create an opportunity to expose local schools and STEM programs to state of the art technology and weekly tours are allowed.

Walmart started its first deliveries by drone in September with a small pilot program in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Using automated drones operated by Israeli startup Flytrex, the retailer started delivery of select grocery and household essential items.

Source: Pea Ridge Times