DRONE TECHNOLOGY: Retail giant wants to use robots to deliver products

Wal-Mart Stores, the world’s largest retailer, wants to test drones for delivering products, entering a race with online competitors Amazon and Google.

Wal-Mart applied last week to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a waiver to test drones outdoors, with the goal of using them to deliver goods to customers.

“Wal-Mart’s distribution system could become more efficient and consumers could be better served, benefiting the public interest,” it said in its application.

It has already been experimenting with drones indoors, where it does not need government approval.

The company also wants to use drones to assist with tracking merchandise, such as taking inventory of trailers outside its distribution centres.

However, Wal-Mart will have to wait until it does further testing before it can determine if or when drones will become part of its daily operations, spokesman Brian Nick said.

The FAA has issued more than 2,000 waivers to businesses that want to use drones for photography, aerial surveillance, inspections, and other purposes. So far, the approvals have been for low-altitude flights within sight of the operator and away from bystanders, making it impossible to use for delivering products to people’s homes.

Companies such as Amazon and Google have also been testing drones designed to deliver small packages to people’s homes, a concept that both have said is still years away.

Wal-Mart has been trying to play catch up with Amazon in the delivery space, opening a new network of online fulfillment centres to speed delivery times and testing its own subscription shipping service, such as Amazon Prime.

It has also been pushing in-store pickup, where customers can order an item online and have it ready at their local Wal-Mart.