# Footwear-Connecting Devices The Dorothy Smart Shoes System is Inspired by the Wizard of Oz By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-10-28 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-shoes References: [refinery29](http://www.refinery29.com/2014/10/76767/istrategylabs-dorothy-app) & [istrategylabs](http://istrategylabs.com/2014/10/meet-dorothy-click-your-heels-to-summon-an-uber-call-your-phone-or-text-your-friends/) This smart shoes system allows you to call an [Uber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/callback-8020), your phone or contact your friends by [tapping your heels together](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dribble) three times. While you won't magically be granted wishes, this connected device certainly feels a lot like wizardry. From iStrategyLabs, Dorothy has a physical trigger (Ruby) than connects via Bluetooth technology to your smartphone. Ruby can be slipped into any pair of shoes while the app can receive signals. The system allows you to be able to call your phone (ideal for quick getaways), send texts to your friends with your precise location (in the event of an emergency or if someone is lost). Currently a prototype, iStrategyLabs is hoping the smart shoes system will soon be able to call an on-demand car service for you as well. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Smart Footwear:** The trend of combining technology with footwear to create smart shoes systems that offer various features and functionality. - **Connected Devices:** The trend of creating wearable technology that can connect to smartphones and other devices. - **Gesture-based Interaction:** The trend of using physical gestures or triggers (such as tapping heels together) to interact with technology. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can integrate smart footwear into their product lines, offering consumers more functionality and convenience. - **Technology:** The technology industry can continue to develop connected devices that integrate with smartphones and other gadgets. - **Transportation:** The transportation industry can collaborate with smart footwear companies to offer on-demand car services directly from the shoes themselves, creating a new category for personal transportation services. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [RFID-Enabled Sport Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banbroken-artdesign-sport-shoes.md) - [Advanced Robotic Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moonwalkers-x.md) - [Robotic Brace Walking Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-project-amplify.md) - [Ultra-Fast Walking Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shift-robotics-moonwalkers.md) - [Electric Truck Shoe Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/footwear-project.md) - [App-Controlled Skates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/appcontrolled-skates.md) - [Shoe Mileage Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoes-lifespan.md) - [Gamified AR Footwear Fittings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tootsie-augmented-reality.md) - [Ankle-Support Wearable Mobility Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-mobility-device.md)