Walmart is testing grocery pickup and delivery using autonomous vehicles in order to increase the efficiency of food delivery as well as test future opportunities for the technology.
Working with Gatik, a self-driving car startup, the pilot project will be conducted in Arkansas following the passage of legislation allowing autonomous vehicles to operate in the state. The pilot project will be conducted on a two-mile route in Bentonville, Arkansas, between two of Walmart’s stores using an autonomous vehicle.
Walmart said it will use the pilot project to learn more about the logistics of adding autonomous vehicles into its grocery ecosystems, along with exploring operations process changes and more opportunities for delivery.
Walmart has already been exploring a few pilot projects with self-driving technology including a project in Miami with Ford Motor Company and Postmates.
