The city of Dallas is reportedly purchasing a series of underperforming malls in order to establish a hub for the delivery of goods by drones, courtesy of logistics company Wing.

Why bother with Santa’s sleigh when a drone can scour the malls on your behalf? Two Dallas-area shopping centers are now offering drone delivery as a new amenity to their customers.

Information is currently being disseminated by Wing, a company capable of operating drone delivery services from two Dallas shopping malls in conjunction with DoorDash and real estate investment firm Brookfield Properties, which owns the two Texas-based malls. Just in time for the frenzied holiday shopping rush, crucial product shipments are kicking into high gear, meeting consumer demand for this year’s festive season.

The service is currently available at two Dallas-area malls: Stonebriar Centre in Frisco and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. While Wing has been operating its drone delivery service elsewhere, it is currently launching a pioneering drone supply service at select American shopping malls.

With the combined inventory of both malls, clients can now access products from more than 50 esteemed retailers. Wing promises to deliver orders within a mere 15 minutes. Here’s how it actually operates:

1. Customers place orders through the user-friendly DoorDash mobile application.
2. Eligible customers will now have the option to have their packages delivered by a Wing drone.
3. Doordash employees will gather merchandise from various mall storefronts and then transport it to designated drone loading stations, where items are secured for transportation by air.
4. Drones soar through the skies at velocities of approximately 65 miles per hour, reaching a maximum altitude of around 150 feet as they deliver packages directly to customers’ doorsteps.
5. As soon as they engage with the supply tackle, winged drones don’t actually touch down. Delivering supplies to remote locations often requires creative solutions; one approach is to use tethers that lower goods directly to their final destination, thereby streamlining logistics and increasing efficiency.

The launch signifies another significant milestone for Wing, having successfully completed over 400,000 business deliveries globally, in addition to piloting services in Melbourne, Australia, and Christiansburg, Virginia. This innovative partnership marks a significant milestone in reviving the ailing mall industry, which has faced immense challenges following the surge in online shopping. By leveraging drones, Wing can effectively utilize otherwise underutilized areas such as rooftops and parking garages – where its drones take off – to revolutionize the shopping experience.

North Texas: A Thriving Epicenter of Drone Technology and Innovation.

Dallas-Fort Worth’s emergence as a hub for drone technology marks its first notable instance in the spotlight, with the news of drone supplies available from local shopping malls serving as a prime indicator of this development. Recently, news spread globally that a major highway has been designated as a Clever Infrastructure Financial Zone (CIFZ), with designated “drone zones” along the road allowing for continuous drone operations within a 30-square-mile area per zone for tasks such as inspections, safety, and public security.

While Wing has achieved notable success in drone delivery, alongside companies like Flytrex, offering diverse solutions. Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet’s self-driving venture Waymo, has established an extensive partnership with Walmart, enabling the company to execute drone delivery operations from multiple Walmart stores in and around the Dallas area. I even double-checked to make sure it actually worked.

Watch as I share my personal experience ordering Powerade from a Walmart in Frisco and having it delivered via drone.

Companies such as Wing have established operations in Texas, attracted by the state’s favorable business climate, mild weather, flat terrain, and tech-savvy population.

In a nod to the Lone Star State’s aviation enthusiasm, some have rebranded Texas as the “Drone Star State.”

The drone delivery market is revolutionizing the retail and logistics industries through strategic collaborations like that between Wing, DoorDash, and Brookfield Properties, which showcases the potential of drones to seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and meet the dynamic demands of today’s consumers.

The seamless integration of cutting-edge drone technology into mall operations could potentially establish a trend in shopping centers globally, empowering businesses to expand their reach and deliver a forward-thinking customer experience. As drone delivery becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s likely that various malls and retailers will adopt similar strategies to remain competitive?

For residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth area eager to take advantage of the new service, applicants’ eligibility for drone delivery will be verified at time of sign-up. Not eligible? Wing’s spokesperson revealed plans to expand their online presence by launching additional websites in 2025.

As summer sets in, North Texas’s airspace is poised to transform into a hub of activity, with the whirring hum of drones potentially dominating the sonic landscape – ferrying everything from impromptu gifts to cravings-catering culinary delights.