It’s Wednesday, Orlando. Steamy days and stormy skies are on tap midweek, with highs near 89°F and afternoon thunderstorms expected both today and tomorrow. Evenings stay warm and humid, with lows around 74°F and a chance of scattered showers lingering into the night.

Here’s what’s on deck:

• Drone Deliveries Are Coming to Orlando — Courtesy of Walmart

• UCF Pitches $190M Innovation District to Boost Research and Startups

Let’s dive in.

TECHNOLOGY

Drone Deliveries Are Coming to Orlando — Courtesy of Walmart

The big picture: Walmart is bringing drone delivery to Orlando as part of a major expansion with partner Wing, aiming to roll out the service in five U.S. cities over the next year. Orlando and Tampa are the first in Florida to be included.

Why it matters: The move marks the first time drone delivery will be widely available in Central Florida — with Walmart calling it the first large-scale rollout by any U.S. retailer.

How it works:

• Drones fly up to 65 mph and can travel six miles from the store.

• Orders are lowered by tether onto a safe landing spot, like a driveway or yard.

• Most deliveries take under 30 minutes.

• Top items include eggs, fruit, ice cream, and pet food.

Between the lines: Wing’s tech allows pilots to oversee multiple drones at once, with deliveries launched directly from Walmart stores. The system has already completed thousands of weekly deliveries in Texas.

What’s next: Orlando will be one of 100 new Walmart locations to offer the service. The company says it’s part of a larger effort to make shopping faster, easier, and more convenient.

The bottom line: From ice cream to ibuprofen, Walmart’s drone delivery could reshape how Orlando shops — turning your front yard into a landing pad for everyday essentials.

Source: OBJ

EDUCATION

UCF Pitches $192M Innovation District to Boost Research and Startups

The big picture: UCF is planning a major expansion with two new facilities totaling about $192 million — part of a proposed innovation district aimed at growing research capacity and workforce training.

Why it matters: The university is short on lab space and looking to attract top-tier faculty and funding. These projects would support research in areas like nanotech, biotech, and AI, while also creating space for student entrepreneurs and industry partnerships.

What’s planned:

• Research II Building: $114.6M, 105,000+ sq. ft. of lab and cleanroom space.

• WERX Center: $76.9M, 100,000 sq. ft. with classrooms, maker spaces, and a startup incubator.

What’s next: UCF trustees will review the proposal on June 12. Both projects depend on funding from the Florida Board of Governors. If approved, the innovation district could cement UCF’s role as a research and entrepreneurship hub — and fuel Orlando’s growing tech economy.

Source: OBJ

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. SeaWorld Orlando will debut 16 emperor penguins this Saturday, making it the only place in the Western Hemisphere to see the species up close. The birds were relocated from San Diego and will live in a newly upgraded habitat designed to replicate Antarctic conditions.

2. Florida is fast-tracking $1.7 billion to accelerate I-4 express lane construction and a new connector road in Osceola and Polk Counties. The projects, originally set for 2026, aim to ease congestion along one of Central Florida’s busiest stretches.

3. A new Embry-Riddle study confirms that air taxis and autonomous aircraft could safely operate at Orlando International Airport without disrupting commercial flights. Commissioned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the research lays the groundwork for future integration as part of a phased plan and ongoing collaboration with the FAA.

Thanks for reading — See you back here on Friday.

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