Wal-Mart moves to test drones for delivery, pickup

Bentonville, Ark.-based megaretailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) submitted an application to the Federal Aviation Administration Monday for permission to test drones for home delivery, curbside pickup and checking warehouse inventories.

For several months, the company has been conducting indoor tests with drones and now seeks to move the tests outdoors. The moves signal that it is looking to compete with Amazon.com Inc. in using the small unmanned aircraft systems to fill and deliver online orders.

Beyond using drones for inventory purposes, Wal-Mart is asking regulators for permission to research drone use in deliveries to customers at its stores, as well as their homes.

Federal regulations concerning the commercial use of drones are expected to be finalized within the next 12 months. A response to Wal-Mart’s application is expected within 120 days.

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