Foot Recognition Technology at Disney World

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I saw an article about Disney receiving a patent to use this technology at its parks. (Did not post a link because I am not clear on what I can link to and what I cannot).

It sounded like the use for the technology is the same as many of the uses for Magic Bands (to customize the guest experience, to see when guests are where, etc.). They take pictures of your feet blush when you enter the park and then match those pics with pics that cameras take in other areas of the park.

What does this suggest about the Magic Bands? That was a huge investment. The article said that Disney does not intend to use the Magic Bands at all of their parks.

Anyone heard anything else about this?

 

[rteetz]

A lot of Disney patents they just file for to have in case they use them. A lot of times they don't end up using them.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

A lot of Disney patents they just file for to have in case they use them. A lot of times they don't end up using them.

Do you see this as something they might actually use? I was trying to think how they might use it. Maybe at overseas parks where they don't have the set up for Magic Bands in order to track guests. I wonder what the investment for something like this would be as compared to what they would have to spend to use Magic Bands.

Another positive with this over Magic Bands is that guests can choose not to use Magic Bands. With this, Disney could take pics of feet without permission.

 

[rteetz]

Do you see this as something they might actually use? I was trying to think how they might use it. Maybe at overseas parks where they don't have the set up for Magic Bands in order to track guests. I wonder what the investment for something like this would be as compared to what they would have to spend to use Magic Bands.

Another positive with this over Magic Bands is that guests can choose not to use Magic Bands. With this, Disney could take pics of feet without permission.

It's possible but it won't be happening soon it's likely 5 or more years out.

 

[manning]

That would stink

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What exactly do they take pictures of? The bottom tread of your sneakers?

I'm very confused by this.

MG

 

[writerguyfl]

What exactly do they take pictures of? The bottom tread of your sneakers?

I only skimmed the patent, but it appears to be merely a photo of guest feet from cameras located below the knee. It's not the bottom of the shoe. Cameras could be placed both at the main entrance as well as on ride vehicles.

Here is an image from the patent.

Full patent found here: 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="foot+recognition"&OS="foot+recognition"&RS="foot+recognition"

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The article said something about how the technology can recognize gum on your shoe. I talked to my husband about it and he said, "So what if I scrape the gum OFF my shoe, as I have a propensity to do?"

 

[UKDisneyJoe]

What if you change footwear during the day for any reason. All sounds very odd

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

This is very valuable tech. By simply scanning your shoes, they can track your whereabouts throughout the park and plan their assault on your wallet accordingly. All of this can be done without a "tracking device" like the Magic Band. I'd patent the idea too if I was Disney - then sell it to every mall, department store...and prying government in the world.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Wow so now not only does my vehicle track me and send all kinds of data about me but now my shoes may be next? Crazy stuff. lol

 

[zebsterama]

It's not April 1rst is it?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

It's not April 1rst is it?

I can see how it would seem so. Nevertheless, many different sources, including reputable news sources and tech sites, have articles on this. I find it very interesting.

 

[zebsterama]

I can see how it would seem so. Nevertheless, many different sources, including reputable news sources and tech sites, have articles on this. I find it very interesting.

In all seriousness, I don't doubt it. Information is the new oil. Data analytics has taken on a whole new life if its own.

I would think there would be easier way to track patron park movement - but who knows, I'm not a data scientist, maybe this is the easiest / most accurate way of tracking user trends.

Unless this is a technology play, I.e. Disney plans on developing, trialing, then selling this solution to others, i can't see them gaining enough additional data to justify the cost.

But then again, like I said, what do I kmow.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

In all seriousness, I don't doubt it. Information is the new oil. Data analytics has taken on a whole new life if its own.

I would think there would be easier way to track patron park movement - but who knows, I'm not a data scientist, maybe this is the easiest / most accurate way of tracking user trends.

Unless this is a technology play, I.e. Disney plans on developing, trialing, then selling this solution to others, i can't see them gaining enough additional data to justify the cost.

But then again, like I said, what do I kmow.

The articles I read emphasized that this is a "less invasive" way to track guests. As forward thinking as Disney is, they could be anticipating new privacy laws/regulations relating to tracking people. The laws in these technology areas are so far behind the actual technology- and they always will be- but there could be some upcoming privacy laws that prevent businesses from tracking people using certain invasive technologies. The less invasive, the more apt to be legal.

 

[writerguyfl]

What exactly do they take pictures of? The bottom tread of your sneakers?

I had a chance to read the patent a little more closely. Turns out I was wrong when I said it wouldn't look at the bottom of the shoe. On the diagram, number 126 is actually a sensor that would capture an image of the underside of the shoe.

Wow so now not only does my vehicle track me and send all kinds of data about me but now my shoes may be next? Crazy stuff. lol

It is crazy...although rteetz is spot on in noting that lots of patents don't end up being used. Still, this is my favorite line in the patent, where they discuss the how this information could provide customized interactions for guests:

"For example, the guest may be wearing shoes that are sold by a company operating the theme park and the shoe information may be compared to those shoes that are sold by the company and during the customized interaction, the guest may be complimented on his or her shoes."​

That's every guest's dream...getting complimented on her or his choice of shoe.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I hope it shows up on my photo pass!

 

[Mary Smith]

I want to see how this turns out lol

 

[jtobykrauss]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatsp...oving-its-theme-park-experience/#587fd6657560

Disney is thinking about a new way to enhance the customer experience.

 

[CAS239]

MB's aren't going away but this sounds interesting