Walmart is planning on delivering groceries autonomously in Houston at some point in 2020.
"Walmart [yesterday] announced a new pilot program that will test autonomous grocery delivery in the Houston market starting next year," report Sarah Perez and Kirsten Korosec.
Walmart will rely on a partnership with Nuro, a robotics company that has been using driverless technology to deliver goods to customers in the Houston suburbs for months.
"The autonomous delivery service will involve R2, Nuro’s custom-built delivery vehicle that carries products only, with no on-board drivers or passengers, as well as autonomous Toyota Priuses that deliver groceries," adds Perez and Korosec.
As noted in the article, this isn't Walmart's first autonomous delivery partnership.
The retailer earlier this year tapped the startup Udelv to test autonomous grocery deliveries in Arizona. This summer, it kicked off a test with Gatik AI, an autonomous vehicle startup to test grocery delivery from Walmart’s main warehouse in Bentonville, Ark. Walmart also launched a pilot with self-driving company Waymo in 2018 to test rides to Walmart for grocery pickup, as well as a test with Ford and Postmates for autonomous grocery delivery.
The article includes more insight into the race to corner the autonomous delivery market.
FULL STORY: Walmart partners with self-driving startup Nuro to test autonomous grocery delivery in Houston
California Clears the Way for Autonomous Delivery Vehicles
Safety driver not included.
Suburban Houston a Testing Ground for Autonomous Delivery Tech
The story of how the autonomous delivery company Nuro has taken to the streets of Houston to map the city and test its concept.
The Link Between Smart Cities, Fleet Technology, and Economics
The theoretical planning of smart cities could help make city economies stronger as purchasing becomes more straightforward.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions