Walmart drone delivery launches in Florida, Texas, Arizona markets

Some Arizona residents are not happy at the noisy drone Walmart deliveries

For the first time ever, some Walmart customers in Florida, Texas and Arizona will be able to have their packages delivered by drone.

Walmart's drone service officially launched for select customers in Tampa and Orlando, Florida; Phoenix and the Dallas-area just ahead of the holidays.

The nation's largest retailer has been working with national drone services provider DroneUp since 2020 when it began trialing deliveries of at-home COVID-19 self-collection kits.

Walmart announced in May 2022 that it was expanding its DroneUp delivery network to reach 4 million U.S. households across six states including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia by the end of the year.

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This means drone deliveries will be available in 23 cities across the nation by the end of the year, according to Walmart.

DroneUp CEO Tom Walker said the company's mission is to "set the gold standard for drone delivery."

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"Our approach is unique; we practice safety above all else and incorporate state-of-the-art technology," Walker said in a statement.

Walker said the company's relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "has also been critical to our success as we build an infrastructure that supports growth and great career programs for operators now and in the future."

The drones, which are powered by certified pilots that operate within FAA guidelines, will drop off packages "to the safest location of the customer’s home," according to Walmart. This includes the front, backyard or driveway of customer homes.

DroneUp technology being used for Walmart deliveries

As the drone delivery service launched last month, some in a Glendale neighborhood have seen and heard the drones above their streets and homes. While some welcome the new delivery mode, others want the drones to fly away from their homes.

A resident captured video of a drone delivering a package in his neighborhood. For some, it’s something they don't want to see or hear above their homes.

"Ive heard them, they’re loud, they really are. We’ve got a big tree in our yard, will it accidentally clip a tree or something, you never know," Bobby Warren said.

For now, the drone delivery service is only available for customers within a one-mile radius of the participating Walmart.

"We normally operate at an altitude between 200-300 feet. Once at the delivery site, we do descend but only to 80 feet above the ground, then the package will lower down by a tether. This once again maintains safety by keeping clear of persons, animals or objects on the ground," said Michael Clark, DroneUp Arizona marketing leader.

Three other Walmart locations in the northwest Valley are also currently offering drone deliveries. DroneUp says it is looking to expand and provide delivery service to a wider range of customers.

FOX 10 reached out to Walmart for comment and has not heard back.

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