Walmart Integrates Drone Delivery and Expands AI Features

Walmart is revolutionizing its delivery and shopping experience with new technology initiatives, including integrating drone delivery into its app and enhancing its AI capabilities. Let’s dive into the key updates Walmart is rolling out.

App-Based Drone Delivery Orders

Starting in June 2024, Walmart customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will receive notifications about the new drone delivery option available through the Walmart app. This service will reportedly be phased in as more drone delivery sites are established and regulatory approvals are secured for expanded operations.

Walmart first introduced drone deliveries in late 2021 from three stores in Northwest Arkansas. Recently, it expanded its partnership with Wing, a drone delivery provider powered by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. This partnership now includes the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with additional markets in Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

“Our goal is to make drone delivery completely seamless for our partners and their customers,” said Wing CEO Adam Woodworth. “When Wing delivery is available within the Walmart app later this month, customers will have a wider selection and a better shopping experience than ever before. This is a major step toward making drone delivery a part of everyday life.”

AI Algorithm for InHome Replenishment

Walmart’s InHome service, an add-on for the Walmart+ membership, delivers groceries and other products directly into customers’ homes. Enhancements to this service include a personalized replenishment algorithm that anticipates customers’ needs based on their purchase history. Testing began in April 2024, and customer feedback has been positive.

AI Shopping Assistant

Walmart is beta testing a generative AI-based shopping assistant that engages customers in natural conversations. This assistant can help with inquiries like “What’s the ideal present for a five-year-old?” Walmart plans to evolve the assistant’s features and capabilities over time.

Digital Shelf Labels

Walmart is rolling out digital shelf labels to 2,600 stores by 2026, following successful tests in a Grapevine, Texas store. These labels, developed by Vusion Group, allow for mobile app price updates, reducing the need for manual price tag changes and freeing up associates to assist customers.

The digital labels also include “stock to light” and “pick to light” features. “Stock to light” helps associates identify shelf locations needing attention, while “pick to light” speeds up the process of finding products for online orders.

“Driven by our commitment to help our customers live better, we’re constantly working to create shopping experiences that are convenient, engaging and personalized,” said Tom Ward, Walmart’s chief e-commerce officer. “This experience needs to be cohesive, interconnected and seamlessly integrated into their everyday lives. By consistently pushing the boundaries, we’re continuing to lead the industry in service of our customers.”

DroneXL’s Take

Walmart’s integration of drone delivery into its app and the expansion of AI features demonstrate its commitment to innovative and customer-focused solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies, Walmart is setting a new standard in retail, enhancing convenience, and improving the overall shopping experience. This move aligns with the broader trend of using drones for efficient delivery services, highlighting the growing role of drones in everyday life.

For more on drone delivery and related innovations, check out our drone delivery section.