Walmart invests in DroneUp to accelerate last-mile delivery

Introduction: Wal-Mart invested in DroneUp to accelerate last-mile delivery.

Walmart has been experimenting with last-mile delivery solutions, from autonomous electric vehicles to incentivizing salespeople to deliver packages on their way home from get off work. Now, the company's goal is to deliver orders faster through drones and compete with Amazon.

According to foreign media reports, recently, Wal-Mart is making an undisclosed investment in service provider DroneUp to accelerate last-mile delivery.

Wal-Mart partnered with DroneUp last year to launch a trial of delivering Covid-19 self-service collection kits at home. Experiments have shown that retailers can provide customers with delivery services in minutes instead of hours. "Now, after safely completing Walmart's hundreds of drone deliveries in the Walmart store, we are investing in DroneUp to continue our work to develop a scalable last mile delivery solution," said Walmart America President and CEO John Furner said.

John Furner said: "As we continue to work hard to provide customers with the goods they want, we know that this will require a well-coordinated network of delivery solutions covering streets, sidewalks and the sky." Some of these solutions are still emerging. , But they have shown encouraging results. "

DroneUp operates an on-demand drone delivery network that matches its database of more than 10,000 Federal Aviation Administration-certified pilots with missions across the country. DroneUp has commercial operations throughout the United States and is an authorized government drone service provider in 11 states in the United States, providing services to public sector organizations.

DroneUp founder and CEO Tom Walker said: “Walmart and DroneUp have unique advantages to succeed in the new chapter of last-mile delivery. Walmart’s vast hub and spoke network, combined with DroneUp’s extensive operational expertise, will Start affordable fast delivery and nationwide drone services."

Furner pointed out that Wal-Mart already has the important infrastructure needed for drone delivery, including 4,700 stores, with more than 100,000 most-purchased items, located within 10 miles of 90% of the US population.

"We are learning how these technologies can provide customers with the items they need," a Walmart spokesperson said: "The great potential of enhancing the services we have provided to millions of customers by providing fast package delivery will also increase the overall transportation system. Safety and efficiency."