Our project involves creating a repeatable, reliable, and accurate scuff tester that will be
used to determine the effectiveness of the innovative variable friction Cadense shoe. The
Cadense shoe was developed to make it easier for people with foot drop to walk by utilizing
a low friction surface when the heel is lifted before becoming a high friction surface when
the entire bottom of the shoe is planted. In order to characterize this shoe, data to describe
the interaction between this shoe and the ground is important. An effective characterization
will explain the conditions and reasons that the Cadense shoe may be better suited for
subjects with foot drop than other options on the market and ultimately provide a scientific
backing for the function of the shoe. Our project is a high fidelity pendulum system that can
be used to run repeated trials through manual activation during which a scuffing force will
be applied to a high precision force plate that can output a force profile over time.