Walmart Begins Wing Drones Deliveries Over Metro Atlanta

Dropping packages from the sky may sound like a crazy idea right out of a sci-fi film (and who knows, it could be the future we’ve all been waiting for). But in Metro Atlanta, forget the science fiction for the time being; Wing, Alphabet’s drone company, has partnered with Walmart to bring that futuristic delivery dream to the people of Atlanta. Beginning today, homeowners in a few neighborhoods across the city may pull out their phones, hit a few buttons, and have groceries or holiday gifts delivered right to their doorstep, or more likely, their backyard, in as fast as 30 minutes.

Woodstock residents will be among the first to try out this new service, as one of the six Walmart Supercenters kicking off the initiative is conveniently located on Georgia Highway 92. Conyers, Hiram, Dallas, McDonough, Loganville, and their respective stores. This is no accident: Wing carefully chose these locations since they are densely populated neighborhoods close to the stores and within easy flying distance.

So, launch the app, enter your address to see if you’re one of the lucky ones, then explore the shelves like you would on Walmart’s website. Groceries such as eggs, ground beef, avocados, and other perishable items that expire easily will be available first, followed by seasonal toys, over-the-counter medications, and household items. Select your delivery location (driveway, backyard), then click Send. A store employee then packages up the items and attaches them to a drone approximately the size of a large housecat. And out it goes, cruising along at around 60 mph, barely out of reach of power lines and treetops at 150 feet altitude.

That 5-minute flight normally takes just under 20 minutes by vehicle in Atlanta traffic, so you get the picture. When the drone arrives, it hovers for a moment before winching the package down to the ground with a sturdy rope, all without you having to raise a finger. If you schedule it correctly, there will be no suspicious doorbell ringing or porch pirate issues. Wing’s drones weigh less than 12 pounds and can easily zip around your backyard; cameras and sensors do the navigating for you, avoiding any risks that arise in real time.

They also have an established track record elsewhere: Wing and Walmart have been conducting thousands of deliveries per week for a year, with more than three-quarters of their consumers returning for more. Eggs are still in one piece, meat is still cold enough, and the fact that they are getting repeat business demonstrates how much people crave (and sometimes expect) quick delivery. The same pattern appears to be playing out here in Atlanta, but with a local twist: the suburbs are densely packed, so the routes are tighter, and with the holiday rush approaching, it will be a crazy ride.