Lowe's Launches Drone Delivery Pilot in Matthews, NC
Lowe's is testing drone delivery for small home improvement items in Matthews, NC, using Wing drones via DoorDash for deliveries in as little as 20
Lowe's has launched a drone delivery pilot in Matthews, North Carolina. Eligible DIY customers and professionals can order select home improvement items via DoorDash for delivery by Wing drones in as little as 20 minutes.
The pilot operates from the Lowe's store in Matthews, which is part of the Charlotte home market. Customers use the DoorDash app to access a dedicated 'Lowe’s by Drone' storefront. If a customer's address and shopping cart qualify, drone delivery appears as a fulfillment option. The service is powered by the existing partnership between Wing and DoorDash.
Lowe's is initially offering a curated list of products for drone delivery. The goal is to reduce project delays by enabling near-instant fulfillment of essential supplies. The company claims it is the first home improvement retailer in the US to offer drone delivery.
What’s available and how it works
The initial product assortment is focused on small, easily forgotten but critical items. It includes hand tools, paint products, tape, batteries, soap, and all-purpose cleaner. This service is not intended to replace traditional truck deliveries for bulky goods like lumber, toolboxes, or appliances.
Orders are placed through the DoorDash app. Delivery eligibility is determined by the customer's address and the contents of their shopping cart. When qualified, the drone delivery option is presented at checkout.
Context in the broader drone delivery landscape
This Lowe’s pilot builds on existing drone delivery operations. DoorDash and Wing already offered services in parts of Southwest Virginia, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and the Charlotte region. Their initial Charlotte offering provided food from restaurants like Panera Bread before expanding to additional suburbs.
The pilot aligns with broader retail ambitions for drone delivery. Wing stated in June that its drone delivery partnership with Walmart is expanding to seven new major metro areas. That collaboration's total service footprint is nearly 20 U.S. Markets.
Walmart announced plans to add 150 stores to its drone delivery network by 2026, aiming to build over 270 locations to serve more than 40 million Americans. Amazon’s Prime Air service targets nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2026, aiming to deliver eligible items in as little as 30 minutes.
Key drone delivery payload and expansion details from the reports include:
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wing drone payload capacity | About 2.5 pounds per flight |
| DoorDash/Wing U.S. Launch start | One Wendy’s in Christiansburg, Va (March 2024) |
| Program expansion to metro Atlanta | April 2024 |
| DoorDash FAA certification | Part 135 received in July 2024 |
Leadership and origins of the partnership
The DoorDash-Wing drone program is led by Harrison Shih. DoorDash received its key FAA Part 135 air carrier certification in July. At Lowe's, the initiative falls under Seemantini Godbole, the company's Chief Information and AI Officer.
The partnership between the two delivery companies began in Australia in 2022. It was extended to the United States in March 2024. Wing, which is an Alphabet company, debuted its own drone delivery service from a Walgreens parking lot in Little Elm, Texas, in April 2022.
Harrison Shih said autonomous delivery is an important part of how the industry is making local commerce faster, more delightful and more sustainable. Lowe's claims it is the first home improvement retailer in the US to offer drone delivery.
