Walmart, in collaboration with tech firm Wing, has officially launched its inaugural drone delivery service in Florida. This groundbreaking initiative will enable thousands of customers to receive their products at home in 30 minutes or less.
The program kicked off with operations from two Walmart Supercenters in the Orlando metropolitan area: one located in Apopka at 1700 South Orange Blossom Trail, and the other in Clermont. Together, these locations aim to serve over 50,000 homes, businesses, and apartment complexes. Walmart plans to expand the service in the coming weeks to include three additional spots in Ocoee, Clermont, and Haines City, as reported by Click Orlando.
Revolutionizing Delivery with Automation
The delivery process is entirely automated. After an employee prepares the order, it is transported to the operations center, where it is attached via a cable to the drone. From there, the drone autonomously calculates the route and flies to its destination.
Upon arrival, the drone hovers approximately six meters above the ground and lowers the package using a cable, eliminating the need to land.
The drones can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour and carry items weighing up to 2.5 pounds (about 1.1 kilograms).
"What used to be a 30-minute car ride is now accomplished in under five minutes by air for small items. This reduces traffic and saves time," explained Tom Kuhn, Wing's global communications director.
Who Can Access This Service?
The service is available to customers within a four to five-mile radius of any participating store.
Orders can be placed through either the Wing app or Walmart’s application.
The delivery fee is $19.99 for those not subscribed to the Walmart+ program, while loyalty service members enjoy free deliveries.
On its inaugural day, Wing deployed 18 drones at the Apopka operations center, all ready to operate simultaneously during peak demand.
Advanced Safety Features
Wing emphasizes that their drones are equipped with multiple safety systems to minimize risks.
According to Kuhn, the drones are crafted from lightweight foam similar to that used in bicycle helmets and have redundant systems to detect any flight anomalies.
"If anything goes awry, the drone detects it and gently descends to the ground in a safe, unpopulated area," he stated.
Florida's weather, however, poses one of the main challenges for the service.
Wing will halt operations if weather conditions are deemed unsafe.
"If there's a major storm and planes can't depart from Orlando airport, we won't conduct drone deliveries either," Kuhn explained.
Part of a Nationwide Expansion
The introduction of the service in Florida is part of Walmart's strategy to expand drone delivery nationwide.
The company surpassed one million deliveries in May 2026 and currently operates from 66 stores across four states.
Walmart aims to add 150 more locations, creating a network of over 270 sites by 2027, capable of servicing more than 40 million Americans.
This launch coincides with the advancement of other autonomous mobility technologies in Florida. Waymo's robotaxis are now operating in Miami, and the southern part of the state has begun using drones for aquatic rescue operations, positioning Florida as a leading testing ground for such innovations.
"The more communities see it, the more communities will want it," concluded Kuhn, summarizing Wing's expectations as the service begins its expansion in the state.
Drone Delivery in Florida: Key Questions Answered
How does the drone delivery process work?
The delivery process is fully automated. An employee prepares the order, which is then attached to a drone at the operations center. The drone autonomously calculates its route and flies to the destination, where it hovers and lowers the package via a cable.
Who is eligible to use Walmart's drone delivery service?
The service is available to customers living within four to five miles of participating Walmart Supercenters. Orders can be placed through either the Wing app or Walmart's app.
What are the safety features of the drones?
Wing's drones are equipped with multiple safety systems, including lightweight foam construction and redundant systems to detect anomalies. If an issue occurs, the drone safely descends to an unpopulated area.