Lowe’s launches drone delivery pilot with DoorDash and Alphabet’s Wing
publishers 5articles 5first reported 24 Sep, 12:00 UTCdeveloping since 24 Sep · 3 editions
Lowe’s has launched a drone delivery pilot in Matthews, North Carolina, through partnerships with DoorDash and Alphabet’s Wing, according to CNBC. The home improvement retailer said eligible customers can order more than 100 products through DoorDash and select drone delivery, with some orders arriving in as little as 20 minutes.
The drones can carry orders weighing about 2.5 pounds per flight and operate within a five-mile radius of the Matthews store. Lowe’s said the service is intended to help customers quickly obtain small items they discover are missing while working on a project.
Seemantini Godbole, Lowe’s chief information and artificial intelligence officer, told CNBC that the company is observing the pilot and gathering feedback from store employees and its partners so it can make adjustments. Lowe’s may expand the program beyond the North Carolina location if the test succeeds.
Godbole said Lowe’s is relying on DoorDash and Wing’s expertise as it works to meet applicable standards. Drone delivery has drawn concerns elsewhere over noise, privacy and the management of increasingly crowded airspace, while operations also require regulatory approval.
Lowe’s said it is the first home improvement retailer to offer drone delivery. Other retailers and delivery companies using drones include Amazon, Walmart and Uber Eats.
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