Seven years ago, Viodi explored the burgeoning world of connected wearables and the idea that “The Foot Bone Is Connected to the Bluetooth,” focusing on how connectivity was coming to the very foundation of human movement. At CES 2025, that initial connected promise has evolved into the medical grade, machine-learning intelligence found in the Magnes NUSHU X Smart Shoe, a device that is literally stimulating movement for those who need it most.

In the above interview, Dr. George Chatzipirpiridis, Co-Founder and COO of Magnes, explained how the device is more than just a smart shoe—it’s “the smartest shoe there is”.

Gait Analysis Meets Personalized Vibration

The Magnes Smart Shoe functions as a real-time gait laboratory built into footwear. It features several embedded sensors that measure how a user is moving. Based on this data, the shoe instantly calculates gait parameters and uses that information to stimulate the user. The stimulation is delivered via vibration.

Crucially, the shoe is a learning, adaptive system. “The shoe, literally, the more you wear it, the smarter it gets,” Dr. Chatzipirpiridis noted. It learns the user’s habits—how much they walk, how they walk, how they turn, and how they sit. This data is used to create a personalized model that is continuously optimized every day, ensuring the stimulation is precisely tailored to the user’s needs.

A Game Changer for Neurological Conditions

The most profound impact of the Magnes shoe is for patients dealing with pathologies such as stroke, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). While healthy elderly individuals can also benefit by achieving a more stable walk, the effect on Parkinson’s patients, in particular, has been described as “massive”.

The shoe’s intelligent system directly addresses one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disease: freezing. The shoe detects when a patient is entering a “freezing situation” and immediately stimulates the foot, allowing the patient to overcome the freeze and walk again.

This technology offers a complete holistic approach that goes beyond just mobility. By increasing independence and reducing the risk of falls, the shoe helps patients be able to leave their house again. As the co-founder explained, “the more independent the patient becomes, the more he wants to walk again and the better for him”.

Logistics and Availability

From a technical standpoint, the Magnes Smart Shoe is powered by a battery that lasts a full day. Charging is convenient and wireless; users simply place the shoes on a little carpet every evening. The personalized learning process is quick, requiring only a few steps, with a minute recommended to start.

Magnes sells the shoes in both Europe and the U.S.. They are sold as a medical device to neurologists, who use them as part of their neurological assessment, and also sold directly to users and patients. Regarding cost, insurance coverage depends on the country, but the device’s long-term value is clear in its ability to reduce falls and improve quality of life.

Due to the personalized nature of the device, consumers can’t simply purchase the shoes online. Users must first go to one of the company’s test centers, where the shoes are calibrated and programmed before purchase. Test center locations are available on the Magnes website.

The Magnes Smart Shoe represents a powerful convergence of broadband-enabled IoT, machine learning, and medical technology—a true game changer for mobility and independence.