Wal-Mart, the largest retail chain store in the world today, asked the federal government for permission to test drones. Wal-Mart wants these drones for tasks like home delivery and curbside pickup. Though they’re not saying it, they want to challenge Amazon’s drone service.
They’ve been conducting indoor tests with small aircraft for months. These tests don’t have to be federally regulated. But outdoor tests with regular drones do. Wal-Mart wants to use Chinese drones supplied by SD DJI Technology Co Ltd. How appropriate. The majority, if not most, of Wal-Mart’s products are made in China. They’re asking the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for permission to use drones for delivery services as well as warehouse distribution. This means they want to test drone home delivery service in neighborhoods throughout the USA. ?The FAA will review and process Wal-Mart’s application. It could either be rapidly approved, dragged out for long term scrutiny, or rapidly denied. The FAA application process takes around 120 days. If approved, a Wal-Mart spokesperson said they’d be ready to dispatch drone services immediately. They know what’s on the line. They know how big of an impact drones can be. There is a Wal-Mart within five miles of 70% of the US population. Think about how many people that could serve.
I’m sure Amazon and Google have thought about it. They’re testing drones in hopes the FAA will approve commercial drone services. Obviously, this won’t be ready by this upcoming Christmas shopping season. But is should make for a very interesting 2016, not just the shopping season, but the whole year as far as retail and technology are concerned. Will Wal-Mart customers rush to take advantage of drone service? Will Amazon customers take advantage of drone service? Can you imagine drones flying all over your neighborhoods, especially during shopping seasons like Christmas? Let’s not forget the way Amazon was humiliated last summer. Do you think Wal-Mart can humiliate them again with superior drone service (assuming it gets approved)?