Walmart drone delivery service DroneUp

[ngel]

Recently a local Walmart here in Pasco is delivering via drone with a company called DroneUp. They use radios as they send someone in the neighborhood to direct the drone. They are using portable radios not sure what brand. Have not been able to find their frequency, it’s within a mile and I have had no luck with searches or close call. Anyone know what frequencies this company is using?

I’m interested to listen as I’m a drone pilot.

 

[kd4efm]

Chances are Motorola wave or some sort of POC radio.

 

[mmckenna]

Recently a local Walmart here in Pasco is delivering via drone …. they send someone in the neighborhood to direct the drone.

Uh, unrelated to your question, I gotta wonder the efficiency behind this. If they have to send a guy out anyway….

 

[sallen07]

Yeah but it's COOL.

 

[ngel]

Uh, unrelated to your question, I gotta wonder the efficiency behind this. If they have to send a guy out anyway…

@mmckenna I completely thought same thing. Does not make much sense. They have to send out someone (visual observer) anyway to spot it plus you can only get the service within a mile and is limited to certain products for delivery. Seem to me just straight up delivery would be cheaper and easier?

 

[belvdr]

Uh, unrelated to your question, I gotta wonder the efficiency behind this. If they have to send a guy out anyway….

Yeah, and they have to maintain VLOS too. Just bring the package with the guy.

 

[belvdr]

@mmckenna I completely thought same thing. Does not make much sense. They have to send out someone (visual observer) anyway to spot it plus you can only get the service within a mile and is limited to certain products for delivery. Seem to me just straight up delivery would be cheaper and easier?

And the visual observer has to be somewhat close to the remote pilot to maintain communication and so the remote pilot can ensure the visual observer is able to see the uAS. They're both so close that it defeats the purpose. lol

 

[ngel]

And the visual observer has to be somewhat close to the remote pilot to maintain communication and so the remote pilot can ensure the visual observer is able to see the uAS. They're both so close that it defeats the purpose. lol

I guarantee the VO is not close to the pilot who stays at Walmart. They have a tent set up there with all the pilots and communications. This is why I’m interested to see how they are getting around the rules

 

[belvdr]

I guarantee the VO is not close to the pilot who stays at Walmart. They have a tent set up there with all the pilots and communications. This is why I’m interested to see how they are getting around the rules

Yeah, it seems to me this kind of behavior will cause some rule changes, specifically around 107.33(b). How would the remote pilot "ensure that the visual observer is able to see the unmanned aircraft in the manner specified in § 107.31.", if he isn't close by? Seems fishy.

 

[mmckenna]

Seems fishy.

It -IS- WalMart.

 

[dave3825]

Recently a local Walmart here in Pasco is delivering via drone with a company called DroneUp.

Wonder how long before people start using the drones for target practice.

 

[belvdr]

Wonder how long before people start using the drones for target practice.

That's already been proven to be troublesome for the person that does so. It's also troublesome for a drone operator who uses it like a peeping tom.

 

[iowajm780]

This just seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[blacktop]

Here is an interesting use of UAVs for medical deliveries. In Rwanda since 2015 or 2016. When I came across this, you notice quickly it is different from what you (or at least I) thought of as drone delivery. It seems to be FAR more advanced than what is described above that WalMart is using. I removed the direct link...I don't think those are allowed. Just search on Youtube for Zipline and Rwanda...should be the first hit.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Yeah, and they have to maintain VLOS too. Just bring the package with the guy.

New rules were adopted in March last year that allow BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight).

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/UAS_BVLOS_ARC_FINAL_REPORT_03102022.pdf

And many companies offer the service, like this one...

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www.precisionhawk.com

Walmart Invests in DroneUp, the Nationwide On-Demand Drone Delivery Provider

In our ongoing effort to get customers the items they want, and fast, we know it will take a well-coordinated network of delivery solutions that span the streets, sidewalks and skies. Some of these solutions are still emerging, but they’re already showing encouraging…

corporate.walmart.com

Walmart made over 6,000 drone deliveries in 2022

While the retailer seeks to eventually deliver 1 million packages by drone annually, an executive said it's encouraged by the initial response.

www.retaildive.com

Meanwhile here is a great article on use of the 600 MHz frequencies for DroneUp

How 5G Changed the Game for Athletes at Red Bull Rampage ‑ T‑Mobile Newsroom

When in areas as remote and beautiful as Virgin, Utah it can sometimes be difficult to get a reliable phone signal. So how did T‑Mobile and drone

www.t-mobile.com

 

[dave3825]

Lol as far as I am concerned, even tho theres mixed opinions out there, a drone hovering over my property is fair game in my book. But not to get off topic,

Searched FCC for Droneup and that yielded no results. Searched Tom Walker and no results. Linkedin states they have 20000 drone pilots

Have not been able to find their frequency, it’s within a mile and I have had no luck with searches or close call.

What is within the mile? Can you get me the address for the Florida hub?


Seems there will be hubs all over

 

[belvdr]

New rules were adopted in March last year that allow BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight).

No rules adopted yet, as there's nothing in Part 107 for BVLOS. That was an advisory committee, hence the word "proposed" a lot in their report. And what a report it is!

Since there's no BVLOS mention in Part 107, currently each BVLOS flight requires an FAA waiver. I've never filed one myself, so I'd venture a guess the waivers are done for a specific period of time.

Lol as far as I am concerned, even tho theres mixed opinions out there, a drone hovering over my property is fair game in my book.

Good luck with that; it's a federal crime. Like I said, though, if it's trying to peer into windows or similar, that's a job for the police. Would you shoot down a delivery drone?

It Is A Federal Crime To Shoot Down A Drone, Says FAA

Don't shoot down a drone.

www.popsci.com

FAA Confirms Shooting A Drone Is A Federal Crime. So When Will U.S. Prosecute?

With at least a dozen reported shootings of drones and no federal prosecutions, it's time for the Department of Justice to step up and send a message that these dangerous actions will not be tolerated.

www.forbes.com

 

[CanesFan95]

What's a "POC" radio?

 

[TDR-94]

What's a "POC" radio?

Piece "O" Crap

 

[TDR-94]

Lol as far as I am concerned, even tho theres mixed opinions out there, a drone hovering over my property is fair game in my book.

The opinions don't matter. It's treated the same as if you shot at a manned aircraft.