Walmart to Begin Utilizing Self-Driving Cars for Autonomous Delivery

With the COVID-19 pandemic completely altering the way the world functions this past year, large retailers are being forced to make big changes in the retail environment. For instance, Walmart has announced that they are partnering with the self-driving car company, Cruise, to fulfill online orders in Scottsdale, Arizona. Beginning in 2021, customers will be able to have their orders delivered via Cruise’s self-driving electric cars. 

Utilizing self-driving cars makes adhering to the rising trend of online ordering and contactless delivery easier than ever before. According to a survey conducted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), online purchases have increased 6 to 10 percentage points across most product categories throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital world. The changes we make now will have lasting effects as the world economy begins to recover.” 

Walmart believes that their venture into autonomous vehicle pilots is the beginning of a whole new world for retail. Not only does this partnership reflect Walmart’s usual strategy of attempting to save both time and money, but it also demonstrates an interest in environmental impact. Cruise’s fleet consists of entirely electric vehicles, which according to Retail Dive, will also help the retail giant fulfill their goal of reaching zero emissions by 2040. 

Walmart is not alone in its pursuit of autonomous deliveries. Other large companies like CVS and Amazon have also been testing out self-driving delivery options in recent months. Learn more about other industry trends throughout the new age of retail at The Smart Retail Tech Expo on September 1st & 2nd at The Las Vegas Convention Center. Get your free tickets today!