A new type of grocery and retail deliveries could be landing soon in Tacoma.A building permit was submitted to the City of Tacoma on behalf of Walmart.
A new type of grocery and retail deliveries could be landing soon in Tacoma.
A building permit was submitted to the City of Tacoma on behalf of Walmart and its drone partner, Wing Drone Delivery, on Wednesday.
The permit description provided by the applicant is for "the installation of fencing and storage for drone delivery operations at the existing Walmart supercenter," city officials confirmed.
The permit for potential drone delivery operations is for the Walmart supercenter at 1965 S. Union Ave. in Tacoma and is currently in the city's screening and intake process.
How does it work?
Walmart customers order through the Wing app and set a precise delivery location on their property for the drone to locate.
Once the ordered items are prepared, they're placed in "an approved package designed to prevent movement or damage and verified for weight requirements," according to Wing.
With a package secured to the bottom of the drone, the delivery machines navigate to their drop-off location at about 65 miles per hour.
Once the drone has arrived, it descends to a delivery height of roughly 20 feet. The drone lowers the package on a tether, which automatically releases the package once it touches the ground.
Regulations
Tacoma city officials said they were not aware of any retail drone restrictions within the city.
The Wing delivery drones must comply with federal regulations and are authorized under an FAA Air Carrier Certificate for commercial cargo and passenger deliveries, the company said.
What do local shoppers think?
Shoppers at the Walmart supercenter on Thursday shared mixed reviews of the drone delivery idea.
"With gas prices nowadays, if you're just needing a quick little something, it's just so convenient," said Joshua Layno. "Drone delivery would be nice."
Unlike Layno, other shoppers voiced worries of noise, air pollution, and privacy concerns.
"I'm not a huge fan of the idea," Austin Aleshire said while leaving Walmart. "Who knows what happens if they crash or fall, or if someone's package gets lost, or somebody steals the drone and the package."
Both Wing and Walmart declined to comment further on the project in Tacoma.
