Walmart Drone Delivery Service To Drop Into Woodstock, City Says

WOODSTOCK, GA — City building officials have approved permits to offer Walmart drone delivery service in Woodstock, they announced Wednesday.

Officials said Woodstock is the first Atlanta-area town to secure these permits, which were approved for Alphabet subsidiary Wing in partnership with Walmart.

Under federal regulation, the drone delivery service will be offered at Walmart's Highway 92 store, city officials said. Household goods, over-the-counter medicine and groceries would be available for delivery.

“Woodstock has built a reputation as a city that embraces innovation while keeping community safety at the forefront," Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell said in a news release. "This forward-thinking partnership with Walmart and Wing reflects our vision of boldly pursuing what’s next to build a thriving community.”

In June, Walmart announced it was expanding its drone footprint to Atlanta but did not specifically say where it planned to start its service. Wing provides the drones flying within 6 miles of a store location, Walmart said at the time.

While meeting with Woodstock City Council officials, they said Wing explained the fully electric drones each weigh about 11 pounds and can handle a little more than 2 pounds of goods. The drones fly between 150 and 200 feet below commercial airspace, city officials said.

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The service is already being offered in Dallas, Texas and Bentonville, Arkansas. Ultimately, the goal is to launch the delivery system at 100 stores, Walmart previously said, promising delivery of 30 minutes or less.

Health and wellness products and household essentials are some of the items that Walmart intends to deliver by drone, the company said. Walmart customers are additionally using the drone service to receive medication, baby formula and COVID-19 tests.

Most frequently, Walmart said people are purchasing fresh fruit, eggs, ice cream and pet food by drones.

In Woodstock, city officials said the drone hub will be called a nest and will include charging pads powered by battery-charged generators.

To receive items by drone, customers will first order through the Wing app before choosing a delivery location. Deliveries can be tracked.