Drone watch: Walmart takes off, Zipline eyes expansion
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Courtesy of Zipline
Don't be surprised to see more drones zipping through the Charlotte sky as Wing grows its delivery service with Walmart, and its competitor Zipline eyes expansion here.
Why it matters: Charlotte's fast population growth and sprawling suburban landscape make it an attractive market for these futuristic services, from the autonomous ride-hailing showdown to the drone-delivery race.
The latest: Wing is now delivering packages from seven Walmart stores, with two more coming.
- Orders are taken via the Wing app. Customers can buy groceries, household items, toys and over-the-counter medicine, and it will arrive "in as fast as 30 minutes," the Alphabet-owned company says.
Zoom out: California-based Zipline says Charlotte is on its radar. It's kickstarted the permitting process with the city to build four drone charging towers on a half-acre site on General Drive near Carowinds, filings show.
- The towers are typically the size of a light pole with outward arms for drones to dock when they're not making deliveries.
- Zipline previously announced a partnership with Advocate Health to start delivering prescriptions, labs and medical supplies in 2027.
- A company spokesperson tells Axios it doesn't have any other partners to share yet, and the charging location is early in the permitting process.
The intrigue: While Wing has been making DoorDash deliveries in the region, Zipline is partnering with Uber Eats in other markets, primarily Texas.
- Uber aims to reach 1 million drone food deliveries per day by the end of 2029.
The Walmart stores offering Wing deliveries are:
- Galleria Boulevard in Charlotte
- North Myrtle School Road in Gastonia
- Shelby Road in Kings Mountain
- Supercenter Drive in Kannapolis
- Dixon Boulevard in Shelby
- Concord Commons Place in Concord
- North Generals Boulevard in Lincolnton
- The two locations still coming are Callabridge Court and Independence Boulevard, both in Charlotte.