1:58am ET
The U.S. government has just given the Walt Disney World Company the green light to being a project involving groundbreaking technology. Disney has received a patent to being tracking for foot-scanning inside their Florida theme parks. The company believes this will help them enhance the overall guest experience in the near future. Private investigators say the patent is similar to the Magic Bands, which is a technology only used at Walt Disney World. While guests use the bands to make purchases, store photos and book FastPasses.. the company is also storing data to gauge guest behavior for future business decisions. The foot-scan is similar to a fingerprint scan or a retina scan and the patent states:
"In one example, the method includes capturing, by a foot sensor, a first foot shape corresponding to at least one foot in a pair of feet of a guest and capturing, by a camera, a first foot appearance corresponding to at least one foot in the first pair of feet receiving guest data from the guest. The method also includes generating a first foot model using the first foot shape and the first foot appearance and tagging the first foot model with the guest data. The foot model can be used to identify a particular guest and the guest data can be used to output a customized guest experience to the guest."
To put that quote in perspective and break it down into easier terms: The cameras/robots will scan the feet to create a profile and link it to the specific guest. There has been no official word on if it will be solely cameras scanning footprints, or if their will be a mat guests step on at the touchpoints to create and link a data profile. This new foot-tracking technology can scan and record patterns throughout the parks to see which locations and attractions are generating the most traffic. These robots will be able to record and store anything from a shoe's color.. to the texture and even something as different as a piece of gum being stuck to the sole. The patent doesn't state how Disney will be able to track 300,000+guests on property daily, but they have the right and own the plans to begin working on this project. Private investigators also suggest this form of data could help with security and safety. For example, helping find children who stray away from their parties in the parks as well as increased security measure before going through the Magic Band Touchpoints at the entrance of their parks. The documents suggest this is the most accurate form of scanning because accessories like gloves, hats and sunglasses will not affect matching the data with a specific guest. Here's a look:
