By Chris Stonor
The American supermarket chain, Walmart, is hoping the Planning Commission of Arkansas City, Pea Ridge, will agree to the creation of a new drone delivery and launch pad, reports arkansasonline.com. If the Commissioners approve such a plan, this unique facility will launch in the first half of 2021.
The City’s Slack Street area is the aimed for location according to a letter from Benoit Miquel, the new deployments manager of Zipline, one of the drone delivery companies presently working alongside Walmart in other projects.
Previous UAMN article on Partnership between Walmart and Zipline:
The letter states, “Earlier this year, Zipline and Walmart partnered to create a first-in-the nation drone delivery network that will enable Walmart to provide an increasing number of customers with fast, convenient access to health and wellness products.”
It goes on to say, “After a significant search of Walmart stores across Northwest Arkansas, we would like to first launch this service at the Walmart Neighborhood Market located in Pea Ridge. We at Zipline are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Walmart and the City of Pea Ridge to bring safe, contactless, on-demand delivery options to local residents.” The Zipline drones can deliver products up to a weight of four pounds over a 50-mile radius.
Miquel also writes the facility will provide “an opportunity to expose local schools and STEM programs to state of the art technology and weekly tours are allowed.”
In conclusion, he says, “We anticipate this safe and world class innovation will offer valuable economic activity and good jobs to the city, as well as be an inspiration to students and young people.”
The meeting is set for this week in the court room at the Pea City Hall.
Visual presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KpwR8anhw
(News Source: https://www.arkansasonline.com)
