Residents of Bartlett, Tennessee, can now receive their Walmart grocery orders by air. The retailer, in partnership with the drone‑delivery network Wing, rolled out a pilot program that promises to drop packages at customers’ doors in 30 minutes or less.
How the service works
Customers place orders through the Walmart app or the Wing website (wing.com/walmart). If the service is available at their address, they pay a flat $19.99 delivery fee. Wing’s drones fly at roughly 200 feet altitude and travel at about 60 miles per hour. When they approach a home, the aircraft hovers about 23 feet above the ground and gently lowers the package to avoid breaking eggs or spilling drinks.
Current capabilities and future plans
At launch, each drone can carry just under three pounds of merchandise, with plans to increase the payload to five pounds as the technology matures. The pilot covers three locations: the Bartlett Walmart on Highway 64, a store in the Cordova neighborhood of Memphis, and the West Memphis Walmart across the Mississippi River.
Wing officials say the program is the first of its kind in Tennessee and part of a broader rollout that aims to serve nearly 20 major U.S. metros by 2027.
Local reactions
“I think it’s pretty cool, man,” said Tim Heeren, who was shopping at the Bartlett Walmart when the demonstration took place. He added that the service could become a valuable delivery option for busy families. Another shopper, Diane Macklie, expressed a modest concern about safety, noting, “Only thing I’d be worried about is if it crashed, but other than that, no.” Both comments reflect a generally positive reception among early users.
What this means for the community
The drone delivery pilot aligns with Walmart’s broader effort to provide faster, contact‑less shopping options, especially for households that find it difficult to make frequent trips to the store. By reducing traffic congestion and offering a convenient alternative to traditional delivery vans, the program supports the traditional‑family pillar of saving time for parents and caregivers.
Local officials have not yet issued formal statements, but the rollout demonstrates how private‑sector innovation can complement community needs without requiring new legislation or public funding.
Availability and next steps
Customers in the three pilot areas can check the Walmart app or Wing’s website to see if drone delivery is available at their address. As the service expands, Walmart expects to increase payload capacity and add more locations, potentially bringing the technology to additional neighborhoods throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
