Could Walmart Drones Handle Montana Weather

Walmart is expanding drone delivery in more cities across the country, and it makes you wonder if Montana will eventually be part of the action. Walmart worked with a company called Wing to launch a drone program in areas including Atlanta, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, and Charlotte. It is a big step up from fast delivery. In minutes, you could have a drone air drop medicine, or a carton of eggs, on your doorstep. You know what’s terrific for the suburbs? For a state like Montana, though, it is an entirely different scenario.

Why Montana Isn’t On The List Yet

Drone delivery can be a good idea when people live close to one another.  You can drive six miles and not see a house here. Each drone has a delivery zone of about six miles, according to Walmart. In Atlanta, that zone would encompass a few city blocks. In Montana, it is about the size of Missoula. Until the technology improves or Walmart gets brave, it’s going to stick with more heavily populated areas.

Could It Work Here One Day

Maybe. The tech is moving fast. Wing says its drones can haul about two and a half pounds and lower objects by a tether. They have already tested ice cream, medications and yes, rotisserie chickens. Imagine a cooked chicken flying above Lolo Peak. This may sound far-fetched, but it could one day happen. You’d need to have a Walmart nearby, calm airspace, and a whole lot of patience with winter winds blowing your ice cream into a snowbank.

For Now, We Wait

Drone delivery will be amusing as a spectator. It is cool tech. It’s simply not made for mountains, long distances, and skies filled with geese. But it may not be very far into the future. Until then, your groceries will not be flying the friendly skies.