Dive Brief:
- Wal-Mart is seeking patent approval for a new type of drone delivery system that will deposit packages into secure lockers that offer communication with the drone in question, ZDNet reported Tuesday. Blockchain technology will provide package tracking and identification.
- The delivery lockers would unlock and open automatically. The blockchain tracking element will add a layer of security for delicate items like food, flowers, or medications.
- The patent application cites blockchain's efficacy for such options as temperature, location and customer identification as examples of how blockchains can benefit logistics.
Dive Insight:
As blockchain technology becomes increasingly popular, its beneficiaries grow in diversity.
Seeking early adoption status, Wal-Mart also intends to employ blockchain technology to track food imports from China. Ensuring that shipping dates and quality are fully traceable and accurate could earn the discount seller a better reputation for selling only healthy produce.
It's not just the retail industry that's adopting the technology, however. In fact, IBM and Chinese firms are racing to establish themselves as the blockchain standard, helping manufacturers, banks, construction firms, procurement professionals and even political parties see the benefits of an untamperable record.
Ultimately, Wal-Mart's attempt to pair drones with the blockchain isn't likely to see implementation any time soon. With drones still hampered by regulation by the U.S. government, we're much more likely to see the rise of blockchain in business before the spread of delivery drones on our doorsteps. But it's an interesting idea, regardless.
