Drones Are Coming to North Texas (No, Not Those)

The mysterious nighttime drone sightings on the East Coast have people wondering what the heck is happening in the sky, but in North Texas it’s much less enigmatic as a new Walmart drone delivery hub was just approved by Bedford City Council last week.

No Mystery Here

Walmart says they’re reaching new heights, offering drone delivery for up to 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth population. Just last week, the City of Bedford’s council approved a hub for the Walmart Supercenter located at 4101 Highway 121. A docking station has been approved for the existing property.

Drone technology varies from store to store and city to city, and Bedford’s Walmart Supercenter will use Zipline for its drone delivery system. The company began delivering medical supplies in 2016 in Rwanda and has expanded since with a long-range platform and another for home deliveries. More than a million deliveries already have been made, and more neighborhood grocery deliveries are on the horizon.

Sky-High Delivery

Residential grocery delivery once seemed futuristic, but now is a competitive business. DroneUp and Wing are among those used elsewhere. Zipline claims to be the largest drone delivery service and its existing Walmart delivery services operate now in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Pea Ridge, Ark. Other sites have been announced for Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Seattle, Wash.; and Houston, Texas.

Other cities’ drone deliveries already in operation include Keller and North Richland Hills, said Molly Fox, Bedford’s communication director.

No nighttime flight time is expected to alarm any North Texans. Bedford’s drone delivery was approved to operate between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the sound described as less noisy than a delivery truck. The drones will be able to carry loads of up to eight pounds, initially within a three-mile radius and eventually expanding to a 10-mile radius.

The wingspan? They’re up to eight feet in width. Prices are set now for $12.99 for Walmart+ member and $19.99 for others. More good news is that it should help with the North Texas traffic congestion. So, looking to the sky might inspire nothing but relief for anyone needing medicine for a sick relative or diapers for a crying baby.

And predictions include zero Homeland Security investigations here about quick retail deliveries in the neighborhoods.