Walking difficulties can lead to dangerous falls and limit mobility for people with many different conditions. While devices like ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), complex robotics, and walking aids like canes or walkers can help, they have their downsides. Usually, they’re not made with aesthetics in mind, often cost too much, and they can attract unwanted stares and questions from strangers. 

 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Tyler Susko, Founder and CTO of Cadense, Inc., a company that aims to revolutionize the way people with walking difficulties experience movement. Tyler shares the story of multiple innovations, including the development of their Cadense shoes — stylish footwear made with variable friction technology for people who have difficulty swinging their foot forward during walking. They’ve created shoes to allow a person’s foot to discreetly slide over obstacles to prevent tripping.