Wal-mart Seeks FAA Approval To Test Drones For Home Delivery

More and more companies seem to be embracing the drone technology. Amazon, the retail giant, is developing drones for making package deliveries. Google is also making decent progress in its Project Wing, the home delivery drone program. The latest addition to this list is Wal-mart, which has applied to U.S. regulators for permission to test drones for home delivery, curbside pickup and checking warehouse inventories on Monday, Reuters said in a report.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc has been conducting indoor tests of small unmanned aircraft systems for several months and now seeks to test the technology outdoors for the first time. It plans to use drones manufactured by China's SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd.

Moreover, the retail giant is also seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to research drone use in "deliveries to customers at Walmart facilities, as well as to consumer homes," according to a copy of the application reviewed by Reuters.

Using drones for commercial purposes is illegal at present, though companies can apply for exemptions. Wal-mart’s petition will be reviewed by the FAA to decide whether it is similar to earlier successful applications, or whether it would set a precedent for exemptions, which would require regulators to conduct an in-depth risk analysis and seek public comment, agency spokesman Les Dorr said.

Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Toporek told Reuters that the company would move quickly to deploy drones depending on its tests and regulations.

"Drones have a lot of potential to further connect our vast network of stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and transportation fleet," he said. "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."