Drone delivery is gaining momentum with new partnerships and regulatory approvals, expanding its reach and capabilities.

Walmart is expanding its drone services to 1.8 million more homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with Zipline and Wing. Similarly, DroneUp has received an FAA exemption to conduct deliveries beyond the pilot's visual line of sight, starting with Virginia’s Riverside Health System.

Zipline is partnering with WellSpan Health to deliver prescriptions and transport medical items using their drone-droid combo. Meanwhile, Skyports Drone Services is collaborating with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to explore drone logistics for reducing truck traffic.

Wing and DoorDash have launched a drone delivery service for Wendy’s in Christiansburg, Virginia, with plans to expand to more cities. These developments indicate significant growth for drone delivery, showing its potential to revolutionize logistics and last-mile delivery.

A recent report from Elevated Chicago, DePaul University's Institute for Housing Studies, and community groups reveals that over one-third of Chicago’s vacant lots are near "L" train stations.

• Vacant Lots: 14,700 near CTA stations as of July 2023

• Predominantly Black Communities: 74% of these lots

These vacant lots are concentrated in historically Black neighborhoods, highlighting historic disinvestment. The report notes that unmaintained lots can create environmental hazards and safety concerns, discouraging residents from walking to transportation and neighborhood amenities. This impacts how and when residents use public transit, affecting the Chicago Transit Authority's ability to connect communities.

A groundbreaking project in the Toronto area has delivered North America’s first three-story 3D printed home using a special printer from Danish construction tech firm COBOD. This 4,500-square-foot townhouse includes the world's first 3D printed basement and features four residential units made from locally sourced concrete, with a steel-frame roof and brick facade.

• Project Highlights:

  • Size: 4,500 square feet

  • Features: World's first 3D printed basement

  • Materials: Locally sourced concrete, steel-frame roof, brick facade

Philip Lund-Nielsen, COBOD's co-founder, highlighted the potential of 3D printing technology to transform construction, noting multiple pioneering achievements by their customers.

Nidus3D, the company behind this project, had previously completed North America's first 3D printed two-story structure in 2022. The technology holds significant promise for meeting housing demands in Canada and the U.S., where many residential structures are two-story buildings. Nidus3D aims to find scalable ways to deliver its products in both countries.

COBOD is also using the same printer for a new social housing project in Germany. The next major 3D printed structure will be the 98-foot Tor Alva in Switzerland, designed by ETH Zürich's Digital Building Technologies group, expected to be completed later this summer.

Dubai has introduced a smart umbrella rental service to encourage walking and protect residents from the sun and rain. This pilot program, launched by the Roads and Transit Authority in partnership with Canada's UmbraCity, operates for three months at the Al Ghubaiba Bus and Metro station.

• Program Details:

  • Location: Al Ghubaiba Bus and Metro station

  • Duration: Three-month pilot

  • Partner: UmbraCity

Residents can rent umbrellas for free using their transit card, with kiosks for easy access and return. Late fees apply until the umbrella is returned or a maximum charge is reached.

This initiative aligns with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, aiming to become a “20-minute city” where all needs are within a 20-minute walk or bike ride. If successful, the program will expand citywide. U.S. cities looking to balance walkability and sustainability with urban heat challenges might find Dubai's approach worth considering.