Abstract: Described is a tightening device for automatically tightening a lace. The tightening device includes a housing with a power source and a pair of motors. A pair of planetary gear boxes are connected with the motors. A pair of spools are connected with the gear boxes. Laces are wound around the spools such that activation of the motors causes rotation of the spools. The housing can be attached with or otherwise incorporated into the tongue of a shoe, such that the laces are operable as shoe laces. Thus, when a user activates the motors, the laces are wound around the spools to automatically tighten the shoe laces.