1851

Facing heightened competition from e-commerce giant Amazon, Walmart is getting&nbsp;creative&nbsp;in<a href="https://news.walmart.com/2019/01/08/custom-autonomous-cargo-vans-to-deliver-groceries-in-walmarts-pilot-with-udelv?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery-2708810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">&nbsp;its latest effort to increase customer convenience. </a>The company announced today it has partnered with autonomous vehicle startup <a href="https://www.udelv.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery-2708810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Udelv</a> to expand its grocery pickup and delivery program to include autonomous delivery vans. The pilot program will take place in Surprise, Arizona. 

This isn&rsquo;t Walmart&rsquo;s first venture into autonomous vehicle delivery testing, either. <a href="https://news.walmart.com/2018/11/14/walmart-and-ford-to-test-grocery-delivery-with-self-driving-cars?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery-2708810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">The company previously announced pilot programs</a> with self-driving car companies Ford and Waymo as it expands delivery to more than 100 cities across the U.S. According to the announcement, the company is investing in these tests &ldquo;to start understanding how customers will want to use the technology when it comes to their grocery shopping.&rdquo;

<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/08/walmart-taps-udelv-for-latest-driverless-car-grocery-delivery-tests.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery-2708810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">CNBC noted</a> Walmart is investing in online grocery delivery at the right time, as online spending by U.S. consumers for groceries is expected to climb 15 percent this year, according to a survey conducted by grocer advisory group Brick Meets Click.

Read the full announcement <a href="https://news.walmart.com/2019/01/08/custom-autonomous-cargo-vans-to-deliver-groceries-in-walmarts-pilot-with-udelv?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery-2708810" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>. 

Photo courtesy of Walmart.

Walmart, Udelv, autonomous vehicle, online grocery delivery

Walmart Partners With Autonomous Vehicle Startup to Test Grocery Delivery

1851 Franchise

Retail giant Walmart is launching a new pilot program with autonomous vehicle company Udelv in Arizona.

walmart-partners-with-autonomous-vehicle-startup-to-test-grocery-delivery

Melting Pot

Photo of interior of Melting Pot restaurant

Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

melting-pot-return-to-lexington

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise

Comfort Keepers

More Than a Caregiver: Loretta Smith's Support Extends to Fellow Caregivers, Clients and the Community

more-than-a-caregiver-loretta-smiths-support-extends-to-fellow-caregivers-clients-and-the-community

Photo of Melting Pot CEO John "JC" Crawford

Melting Pot Names New CEO, Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Continued Growth and Leadership Promotions

melting-pot-franchise-mid-year-2025

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Texas Layne’s Franchisee Secures Real Estate in Austin, Set To Open Early Next Year

texas-laynes-franchisee-secures-real-estate-in-austin-set-to-open-early-next-year

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

Walmart Partners With Autonomous Vehicle Startup to Test Grocery Delivery

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS