Walmart and HomeValet pilot smart box tech for grocery deliveries

Walmart is to test out grocery deliveries to a HomeValet smart cooler placed outside of customers’ homes.

The big box retailer will kick off a pilot during the spring in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.

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, it communicates with the delivery provider’s device, giving them access to the smart box.

“The prospect of this technology is intriguing, both for customers and for Walmart’s last mile delivery efforts,” says Walmart US Senior Vice President of Customer Product Tom Ward.

“For customers, they don’t need to plan their day around when their grocery delivery will be made. For Walmart, it presents an opportunity to deliver items 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”