Drones have been sparking controversies ever since they first hint mainstream. With their capabilities of flying over skyscrapers and homes, the capacity to equip them with weapons and so forth, drones are somewhat considered as both a nuisance and a threat to a certain extent. However, when put into good use, drones can be rather helpful things.
E-commerce giant Amazon is envisioning a future where drones are delivering parcels and packages to its recepients. And in a bid to not be left out with the times, American multinational retail corporation Walmart is also jumping in the drone bandwagon.
According to reports, Walmart is the latest retailer to request for permission to test drones that it will be using for deliveries to customers in parking lots and homes and to also survey their premises including buildings, warehouses and distribution centers.
Walmart has already applied to the Federal Aviation Addministrations to be exempted from the standard regulations. Reports say that the company has been testing its drones inside its facilities. Now that Walmart is ready for doing outdoor tests, the company would need permission from the FAA first in order for them to operate drones.
Walmart is jumping in the bandwagon so that it would have a more efficient supply chain, according to company spokesman Dan Toporek. "There is a Walmart within five miles of 70 percent of the U.S. population, which creates some unique and interesting possibilities for serving customers with drones," he told Reuters.
According to Toporek, the retail giant is all ready to start outdoor tests once the FAA gives the green light. Typically, the approval process of the FAA would take about 120 days, according to Small UAV Coalition Executive Director Michael Drobac.
It may still take a long time before drones delivering grocery items and parcels to doorsteps take full swing. But the idea behind it would certainly be an innovative solution in today's issue where deliveries take a couple of days before they arrive to their recipients.
