Walmart is piloting a new type of contactless grocery delivery with HomeValet. Beginning this spring, customers in Bentonville, Arkansas will be able to receive deliveries from their local Walmart directly into a temperature-controlled HomeValet-powered smart box placed outside their home. This gives customers the ability to receive secure, contactless deliveries knowing their grocery items will stay fresh.
HomeValet’s smart box is powered by an internet of things platform that has three temperature-controlled zones, so it can properly store frozen, refrigerated, and pantry items. And when it’s time for a delivery to be made, the smart box communicates with the delivery provider’s device, giving them secure access to the smart box to complete the delivery.
“If there’s one thing we know about our customers, it’s that they’re busier than ever,” said Tom Ward, SVP of customer product at Walmart U.S., in a statement. “Our pilot with HomeValet is one of many solutions we’re testing that can make their days more manageable. After all, delivery should fit within their lifestyle, not the other way around.”