More conservative observers and analysts have long noted that one of the pitfalls of the unmanned-aircraft movement has been a tendency to unrealistically overreach. Experts say that in the competition for investment dollars, the loudest claims too often catch the ears of a naïve financial community, frequently with little basis in actual, practical potential. Baby steps need not apply.
But DroneUp, founded in 2016 by CEO Tom Walker and based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has taken a more measured approach and recently announced a partnership with Walmart to expand modestly sized drone delivery services to six states. DroneUp does not manufacture its vehicles, but rather uses third-party products with an eye toward tailoring its services to the clients’ specific needs, Walker said. According to an article on fastcompany.com, DroneUp’s customers reportedly include the likes of Brookfield Properties, Quest Diagnostics, NATO Allied Command—and now Walmart, in an expanded capacity.
In 2021, DroneUp provided on-demand deliveries at three locations in the retail giant’s home state of Arkansas. That partnership has now expanded to include locations in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Certified pilots operate within FAA guidelines between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from delivery hubs at participating Walmart stores seven days a week.
In announcing the partnership last May, David Guggina, Walmart U.S. senior vice president of innovation and automation, said, “Customers will be able to order from tens of thousands of eligible items, such as Tylenol, diapers and hot dog buns, for delivery by air in as little as 30 minutes. For a delivery fee of $3.99, customers can order items totaling up to 10 pounds. So, simply put; if it fits safely, it flies.”
“There was a clear need for a forward-thinking sustainable solution that complemented what was currently in place,” Walker said. “Drones checked the box for everything needed to make last-mile delivery better for everyone. They are fast, efficient, safe, reduce greenhouse emissions, and rapidly becoming cost-effective for businesses to implement.”
So how do they keep hot dog buns weatherproof duing deliveries in the rain?
For rural folks where there isn’t a convenient store nearby, this could be a solution. For the rest of us, c’mon get in your car and get out of the house and around town. I fear a huge nuisance factor which I’m not sure how it will be addressed- we shall see as the SIGs will dictate ‘acceptable noise levels’ and times of operation and $ will beat common sense as it usually does. Hate to be a pessimist, but…
Must admit to some skepticism re: Drone Deliveries. However lots of smart motivated folks working towards this end. Biggest problem I see is the uncontrolled environment at the remote end of each delivery. How do you insure the safety of some five year old kid playing outside the house from the Buzz-saw propellers?
Cameras. No clear landing zone; no descent.
I need hot dog buns and I need them NOW! Oh look the drone is here we can eat.
There has been an experiment in France for pharmacies, results now being evaluated. Idea being that drugs delivered either to pharmacies in rural areas with traffic problems, or to regular clients with regular needs, who are mobile and intelligent enough to handle the delivery, get sent out from larger pharmacy.
Anecdotal evidence is it worked find for the clients, who loved going out to the sports field to for the collection, but less so for the pharmacies, who found it a pain to have to go out from the shop, instead of having the van driver hand it to them.
Commercial drones cost about the same now as a small van, and the commercial flying license costs at least as much as a driving license, and has to be renewed every four years. So not sure it will take.
There is nothing safe about drone deliveries. It’s greedy over safety. That’s what it is. All the more, it is how much money “companies” can profit.
If there is nothing safe about drones, why do so many successfully complete their flights – even in the hands of amateurs? And how does their injury/fatality rate compare to that of automotive deliveries?
Really? The “greedy” card?
It seems like I’m more likely to see flying cars become common place before our society returns to less hyperbolic discourse.
They will eventually figure this out when sensors and software evolve to more closely match or exceed the human eye and brain. They’re not there yet, though. There have to be designated areas clear of wires and obstacles for a drone to descend safely. They can’t rely on the recipient to do this intelligently and drone cameras still can’t see wires very well so human eyes on the ground are needed. Attempting to circumvent traffic delays on the ground by moving traffic to the air only shifts the location of the congestion into a less controlled environment. Eventually, new building construction might include smaller roof or yard helipads clear of obstacles for drones to land but we’re a long way from that today. Traffic congestion in urban areas and the need to reduce environmental pollutants are putting pressure on sellers like Amazon and Walmart to drones. However, as drone air traffic increases there are bound to be accidents by collision with other drones, wires or obstacles. Just as in manned aviation, this will result in more stringent regulation and control of drone air traffic. Computerized air traffic control of drones is much easier to implement than for manned aircraft and I expect that it will arrive sooner or later.
The Jetson’s was cancelled decades ago–yet some dreams NEVER die–despite the fact that this concept has been “right around the corner” for 50 years.
The technology that would make this feasible–GPS–for “unmanned aircraft” has been around for some time–yet despite the hype, I can think of no takers–even the military, with far more urgent needs and far larger budget–hasn’t embraced the concept.
That hasn’t stopped the “wishers and dreamers” from promising that the concept is viable–and available “SOON”.
Leave this to “Popular Mechanics” and similar magazines–but AvWeb DOES fill a need by keeping us abreast of these fairy tales.
“I can think of no takers–even the military”
“DroneUp’s customers reportedly include the likes of Brookfield Properties, Quest Diagnostics, NATO Allied Command”
Apparently, even NATO needs hot dog buns. Must be sliders and rollers Friday.
For those of you who question the viability of drone deliveries, I suggest you watch a few examples from Ukraine on YouTube.
Because of that example, terestrial security measures now mean exactly squat. Why evern sully yourself with a ground attack if you can sit at home and autonomously send out a cheap mail order drone to deliver into a window?