Walmart drone partner Wing invests $125M in R&D, manufacturing hub
Wing, the Alphabet-owned U.S. drone provider that works closely with Walmart, is opening a new facility in Texas and committing $125 million to research and development.
Started as a project at Alphabet (parent company of Google) in 2012, today operates what it says is the largest drone delivery footprint in the U.S., serving major metros from more 70 sites. These include sites it operates across five states in partnership with Walmart – including Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Orlando and Greater Houston.
[READ MORE: Walmart expands 30-minute drone delivery to new metro area]
To support its plans to reach more than 40 million across nearly 20 U.S. markets by 2027, Wing is investing $125 million in R&D and engineering capabilities in California and the communities in which it operates, and its newest 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
At this facility, Wing expects to create up to 100 new modern manufacturing jobs and have the capacity to build tens of thousands of aircraft each year, supporting its drone delivery service expansion across the nation.
“Drone delivery has become a global reality, driven by clear demand from our partners and their customers,” said Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing. “The U.S. is our focus for growth, and by investing in the future of drone delivery here, we are continuing to advance American aviation innovation as we build our commercial momentum.”
Wing also works with retailers including Lowe's, DoorDash and Papa Johns.
Wing and Walmart – a closer look
Walmart products eligible for drone delivery include grocery items, last-minute gifts, household goods and over-the-counter medicine. According to the retailer, its drone deliveries average a five-minute or less flight time.
To receive drone delivery from Walmart, eligible customers can place an order through the Wing app and, at checkout, confirm the precise delivery location on their property. Once loaded onto one of Wing’s automated drones, the order cruises at approximately 60 MPH and about 150 feet off the ground.
Upon arrival, the drone lowers the package to the ground with no assistance needed. Wing operates within FAA guidelines, flying their drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) up to a six-mile aircraft range from the store. Since launching drone delivery in 2021, Walmart says it has completed more than 150,000 deliveries within minutes.
