Could your next Walmart order arrive by drone? 7 major ci…

Walmart is expanding its drone delivery service to seven new U.S. metropolitan areas, aiming to reach 40 million customers by 2027. Currently available in locations like Dallas and Atlanta, delivery will soon be accessible in Memphis, New Orleans, and others. Customers can order via the Walmart or Wing app. Drones can deliver packages in under 5 minutes, with an average delivery time of 23 minutes. Notably, the service covers items up to 5 pounds, is free for Walmart+ members, and costs $20 for others. Safety measures are in place to avoid obstacles and adhere to FAA guidelines.

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Who will be getting the service?

Currently, drone delivery is available for customers in:

Dallas and Houston, Texas
Bentonville, Ark.
Tampa and Orlando, Fla.
Atlanta, Ga.
Charlotte, N.C.

Soon, the service will be available for residents in seven new metro areas:

Memphis, Tenn.
New Orleans, La.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Phoenix, Ariz.
San Diego, Calif.
San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Salt Lake City, Utah

Once drone delivery is available, customers within delivery range will see the option on the Walmart app or website, based on the address associated with their account. Customers can also place a delivery directly through the Wing app.

Before launching in each new city, drone providers Wing and Walmart said they will "work closely with local leaders and community members" to share more about its "safe, reliable delivery system."

How fast is the delivery?

Once an order is placed, the aircraft can travel at cruise speeds of up to 60 mph, dropping packages into a customer's yard at its fastest in under 5 minutes from the moment of takeoff.

At the moment, the retailer's drone deliveries take an average of about 23 minutes from order placement to delivery.

The drones are programmed to avoid traffic, stop signs and pedestrians. They also follow FAA guidelines and have sensors to avoid obstacles during the delivery, ABC reported.

To ensure your package is delivered safely, the drones hover above the delivery location, then slowly lower the package on a tether until it's close enough to be placed on the ground.

What can I order?

There are thousands of items available, with Walmart listing rib-eye steaks, Hamburger Helper and Xbox controllers among its previous deliveries.

Some of the most frequently delivered items include eggs, ice cream, pet food and fresh fruit, including bananas and lemons.

However, there is a weight limit on the products. Wing drones can deliver packages weighing up to 5 pounds, while Zipline drones, which operate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, can bring items weighing up to 8 pounds.

Orders must be within 6 miles of an eligible store for some vendors, though the overall radius is up to 10 miles.

The drone delivery service is free for Walmart+ customers, but costs $20 per order for others.

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Could your next Walmart order arrive by drone? 7 major cities are getting the service.

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