A robotics specialist in physical therapy has unveiled the world’s first shoe that can reduce frictional forces and adapt to uneven surfaces, ensuring a smooth walking experience for the elderly and those dealing with multiple sclerosis and stroke rehabilitation.
The breakthrough technology was developed by Dr. Tyler Susko, an engineering professor at the University of California who realized his machine design skills could aid everyday people with mobility disorders.
His new company, Cadense, is the first to sell modern adaptive footwear using ‘variable friction technology’ to help individuals walk more safely, confidently, and independently.
An estimated 40 million Americans live with some form of functional disability, caused by conditions ranging from MS, and Parkinson’s to ‘drop-foot’ and post-stroke mobility challenges.
“Cadense bridges the gap between medical necessity and modern style—combining patented gait-improving outsole technology with fashion-forward design,” said Dr. Susko, who holds a PhD in engineering from MIT and now teaches at UC Santa Barbara.
Cadense worked directly with MS, stroke, and cerebral palsy patients to engineer the ‘Variable Friction’ outsole to smooth gait irregularities, reduce tripping, and support safer ambulation.
A Prevention Magazine review called Cadense’s Original Women’s Adaptive Shoe a “literal lifesaver” for those with walking difficulties, citing smoother strides and improved confidence. Users echo those results.
“Sidewalks in my town are uneven with huge tripping zones,” said Jess Cantwell, who lives with secondary progressive MS. “Cadense shoes help me get around. They give me independence in a place that isn’t built for people with mobility challenges.”
Jess also shared a video demonstrating why Cadense improved her daily mobility. (Watch it below…)
Cindy, who was diagnosed with MS in 2016 said, “On bad days I can shuffle-walk, but Cadense lets me slide-walk over obstacles. They’re a true game-changer.”
A Parkinson’s patient named Glenn has also had incredible results. “I can count four or five times now where I would have tripped, but Cadense helped me recover. My gait is slow and shuffling, and I have tremors, but these shoes genuinely help.”
Dr. Susko’s passion began in high school after volunteering at a school for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. His doctoral work at MIT in rehabilitation robotics, although fulfilling, made him realize that large robotic systems don’t scale to everyday life. So, Cadense was founded to deliver clinical-grade mobility, without the machinery.
MORE ADAPTIVE BREAKTHROUGHS:
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• A Smart Keyboard for Parkinson’s Patients Wins 2025 James Dyson Global Award
Beyond shoes and sandals and just in time for Christmas, the latest offering on the Cadense website is a plush-lined suede slipper that the company says “glides when you want them to and grips when you need them to—whether you’re padding across hardwood floors or stepping outside for fresh air.”
True to its name, the company is fulfilling its empowering mission to improve the cadence of life for everyone. (See the results below…)
HELP PEOPLE MOVE By Sharing The Breakthrough on Social Media…