Drone Delivery Service Coming to Bedford
In September, Bedford residents will have a new option when it comes to having their groceries delivered from Wal-Mart Supercenter (4101 Hwy. 121) – Zipline drone delivery! Starting Wednesday, September 3, Zipline drones will begin delivering Wal-Mart orders weighing up to 5.5 lbs. to customers within 2 miles of the store.
We know drone deliveries will bring plenty of questions, so we’ve put together some FAQs about this new service:
What kind of items can be delivered?
Groceries and retail goods, including liquids, up to 5.5 lbs. in weight are included. Currently, Zipline is not delivering alcohol or controlled substances (like prescriptions). In the future, Zipline plans to increase its capacity to 8 lbs.
Where do the drones deliver the items?
Zipline only needs 6 feet of open space to make deliveries. The aircraft stays roughly 300 ft. in the air with their Zip (robot that holds the items) lowers orders down to the delivery location. You can choose the location on your property where you’d like to receive your items. Folks who live in apartments, town homes, or retirement communities will have the option of choosing their preferred community delivery point that is most convenient to them.
To start, Zipline will serve a small number of customers. Over time, functionality will increase and more residents will become eligible for Zipline service later in the year. Eventually, Zipline will serve residents up to 10 miles away from the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Residents can join the waitlist for Zipline’s service by downloading the Zipline app in the iOS and Android app stores.
Will the drones by flying at night or in bad weather?
No. Drone deliveries will only be available between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. The drones will not operate during severe conditions such as lightning or thunderstorms.
Are the drones regulated by the FAA?
Yes! Zipline works in collaboration with the FAA and all air space regulations are followed. Zipline is the largest and most experienced autonomous delivery service in the world and has operations in eight countries. It has flown more than 100 million commercial autonomous miles to date, the equivalent of driving every road in the United States 24 times in a row.
Please note, Zipline drones are not like agricultural, videography, or consumer drones, and are instead equipped with many advanced safety features and privacy protections.
How loud will the drones be?
Zipline aircrafts stay high in the sky while making deliveries and are custom-designed to be community-friendly and quieter than passing cars.
Are drones permitted to fly over private property?
Yes. According to FAA regulations, drones are permitted to fly over private property. Zipline does not fly over schools or hospitals.
What happens if someone tries to shoot a drone from the sky?
Under the Aircraft Sabotage Act, damaging or destroying any aircraft, including a drone, is a felony. This law applies to drones because they are legally defined as aircraft. Therefore, any attempt to shoot down, jam, or otherwise interfere with a drone’s operation is a violation of federal law and such actions can result in severe penalties and jail time.