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

Image Studios

IMAGE Studios Celebrates Record Growth in 2025 With 35 Openings and 50 Units Awarded

image-studios-franchise-growth-2025

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

Jollibee

How Jollibee’s Veteran Leadership Team Is Rewriting the Playbook for U.S. Expansion

franchise-leadership-growth

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of guest checking in at Woodhouse Spas reception desk

franchise-questions-answered

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

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

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

Walmart Partners With Autonomous Vehicle Startup to Test Grocery Delivery

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS