Walmart Launches Drone Delivery Fleet in Fort Worth, Partners with Wing for Rapid 65mph Deliveries

A Walmart Supercenter in Fort Worth has rolled out an ambitious drone delivery program, deploying 18 drones to serve customers within a six-mile radius. The initiative is part of a larger partnership between Walmart and Wing that spans 11 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to Community Impact’s report.

High-Speed Delivery Specs

These lightweight delivery drones pack quite a punch – they’re capable of cruising at 65 mph while carrying up to 2.5 pounds of cargo.

“It’s literally wrapped in styrofoam and recycled plastic parts. The goal is to make the drone sustainable,” says Catherine Lovett, Wing’s policy and community affairs manager.

Advanced Tech and Safety Features

The drones aren’t your typical off-the-shelf models. Each unit comes equipped with:

• 12 propellers for vertical movement
• 4 propellers for horizontal flight
• Redundant systems that allow continued operation if a propeller fails
• GPS-guided autonomous navigation
• Fail-safe delivery mechanism with a three-tug release system

How It Works

Customers use the Wing app to place orders for small items like household essentials, groceries, and over-the-counter medications. The drones operate between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., delivering packages from a hover height of about 20 feet using a tether system.

“There are no real privacy concerns, which helps by having Wing come out, pull back the curtain and show there’s nothing to be afraid of,” notes Fort Worth District 4 Councilman Charlie Lauersdorf.

Safety and Oversight

While the drones operate autonomously, FAA-certified pilots based in Coppell monitor all flights. The drones maintain a cruising altitude of 200 feet and are programmed to avoid restricted airspace and Wildlife. They’re also designed to break apart on impact, prioritizing safety.

DroneXL’s Take

This expansion into delivery by drone represents a significant step forward for commercial drone operations in urban areas. It’s particularly noteworthy how Wing and Walmart are addressing common concerns about privacy and safety head-on. The sustainable design approach and robust safety features could serve as a model for future drone delivery programs. We’re seeing similar successful implementations across the country, suggesting this technology is rapidly moving from experimental to mainstream.

What do you think about having drones deliver your everyday items? Share your thoughts in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​