# Shoe-Based Tracking Robots A New Disney Patent Plans to Track Park Visitors with Pictures of Shoes By Joey Haar | Published 2016-08-01 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disney-patent References: [thenextweb](http://thenextweb.com/insider/2016/07/29/foot-fetish/) & [patft.uspto.gov](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=9393697&OS=9393697&RS=9393697) A new [Disney](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cinderella-castle-mural) patent plans to use robots to take pictures of the shoes worn by visitors to the company's theme parks then use that information to create a tailored guest experience. According to the patent, the system will incorporate [robots that snap images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-dog-concept) of each guest's shoes at various sites around the park, tracking that guest's movement throughout the course of a day to gain a better understanding of how they spend their time. The Disney patent chose [shoe-recognition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/osmo-ai) over facial recognition because, according to the patent, "shoe styles typically vary widely in appearance and color, helping to reduce confusion for the system in identifying a particular person." From a cyber security standpoint, the other benefit of a shoe-based system is that Disney won't gather a giant database of facial recognition images, as such a database would raise serious privacy concerns. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Shoe-based Tracking:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity to create other shoe-based tracking systems beyond Disney's park experience. - **Personalized Guest Experience:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity to create personalized guest experiences using tracking technology in other industries beyond theme parks. - **Privacy-focused Tracking:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity to create tracking technology that prioritizes privacy and security concerns, such as a shoe-based system. ### Who This Affects Most - **Tourism:** This technology could be applied in other tourism industries such as museums and historic sites to offer personalized experiences to guests. - **Retail:** The potential for shoe-based tracking could offer retailers the opportunity to analyze consumer behavior and offer a personalized experience. - **Healthcare:** Using similar tracking technologies, healthcare professionals can improve patient experiences and streamline care delivery in hospitals and clinics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Advanced Robotic Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moonwalkers-x.md) - [Kid-Friendly 3D Foot Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-foot-scanner.md) - [Virtual Footwear Try-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/try-on-tech.md) - [Shoe Mileage Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoes-lifespan.md) - [RFID-Enabled Sport Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banbroken-artdesign-sport-shoes.md) - [Discreet Tracking Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/find-my-skechers.md) - [Robotic Brace Walking Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-project-amplify.md) - [Tracker-Concealing Shoe Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speck-tagimals-shoe-carriers.md) - [Electric Truck Shoe Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/footwear-project.md)