The Footwear That Could End Falls — And Why Big Tech Missed It

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Dr. Tyler Susko — roboticist, inventor, and founder of Cadense, the startup behind a revolutionary adaptive shoe for people with mobility challenges.This story starts with million-dollar rehabilitation robots at MIT… and ends with a lightweight, friction-adaptive shoe that has already helped tens of thousands regain confidence and mobility.👟 Why high-friction shoes are dangerous for people recovering from stroke or injury🧠 How a PhD in robotics led to a simpler, not more complex, solution⚙️ Why the first prototype failed (and what they learned from #40)🌎 How they scaled to 30,000+ units sold — and why customer feedback drives everything🏗️ The Cardboard Boat Race and why MVPs should look like 5th grade science projects📈 What to do when success forces you to become a different kind of businessThis episode is a masterclass in listening, iterating, and innovating from the outside in.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!