[blktiger]

According to the article, walmart wants to test a drone delivering a package from a truck and then returning to the truck. If that is the case, then they could use an automated truck to deliver packages to the general area first. Then the drone would activate and deliver the package the last few feet to the door. Presumably, if they did something like this the drones would have their batteries charged while the truck was driving to each location.

[hyperpallium]

In the various combinations, I wonder if there's a place for a mini-autonomous van, too small for a person, but can carry a few packages.

The main truck stops regularly along a main road, and releases a few of these tiny vans. The last few feet to the door (tricky to navigate, usually require a "off-road" person) are by drone, as here.

[ape4]

Wow, that could work. A self driving van. Of course, the drone would charge from van.

How about the optimization: as the van is slowing down or looking for a parking spot the drone takes off. Van begins unparking as the drone gets near.

Or in cities, the drone could take the subway.

[drakenot]

I worked as a "holiday helper" for UPS during a Christmas season when I was in college. My only job was to take the package to the door for the truck driver while they queued up their next package.

I could see these drone systems working a lot like what I did at that job. Even if the driver still had to drive almost right next to the house, if they could reliably have that "last 100ft" delivery taken care of by drones it would be a big efficiency boost.