A desire to create positive change and put joy back in your journey is at the heart of Centaur Robotics’ mission. Our dedicated team has experienced at first hand how restricted mobility impacts lives.
We believe real freedom comes from being connected – to people, to places, and to life itself. It’s not just about moving. It’s about being with others – sharing moments, laughter, support, and love. That’s what helps us live longer, healthier, better lives.
Our dedicated team has experienced at first-hand how restricted mobility impacts lives. We’ve seen it and we’ve lived it – and that’s why users of the Centaur feel proud, present and connected to their world.
Centaur Robotics uses engineering disciplines which are standard for the automotive and aerospace industry. That doesn’t mean the Centaur can fly – or do 0 to 60 in three seconds – but it does mean you can have every confidence in it when you take delivery of your very own Centaur.
CEO
A healthy ageing expert and serial entrepreneur, Eric’s mission is to keep people active and socially engaged. ‘The Centaur is a desirable product creating joy through technical innovation'.
Founder
David wanted a chair his son could be proud of and was fit for the 21st century. ‘The Centaur empowers people to get on with their lives.’
Chief Technology Officer
Julian is an award-winning business leader in manufacturing and artificial intelligence in the automotive and aviation industries.
Design Director
A former chief designer for Ford Motor Co, Paul created a beautiful chair for the world we live in. ‘I want people to live more fulfilled lives, to be proud and to be mobile.’
Chief Marketing Officer
James, a seasoned marketing professional, values wellbeing, inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped build well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Centaur Robotics began with a father’s determination to create a better future for his son. David Rajan, the founder, envisioned a world where his son would. Be met with envy, not pity. For five years, this dream was a passion project, nurtured in a garage on a shoestring budget and sheer determination.
The project gained momentum when John Reed, a seasoned professional from Ford, joined the team. Soon after, Paul Campbell, then Ford Motor Co chief designer, came on board. Paul had just completed a major vehicle project, and with the Ford design studio temporarily quiet, he and his team lent their expertise to Centaur. However, life intervened, and Paul eventually returned to pick up the pen and finalize the design of the Centaur.
With angel investment secured, Centaur expanded its vision from serving only the disabled community to addressing the broader needs of those with restricted mobility. The team embarked on a design journey, initially focusing on a self-balancing vehicle. Early prototypes emerged in 2018 and 2019, showcasing the potential of this groundbreaking technology.
However, customer feedback reshaped the path forward. Airports and other potential users expressed a need for a four-wheel vehicle with luggage capabilities. Driven by this demand, Centaur pivoted to develop a four-wheel option while continuing to refine the self-balancing design. This customer-first approach became a cornerstone of Centaur’s philosophy.
In 2020, Eric Kihlstrom joined Centaur as CEO, bringing fresh leadership and vision to the company. Under his guidance, Centaur gained recognition as a finalist in the Innovation by Design category of the Fast Company Awards. The team continued to draw on the experiences of hundreds of people with mobility needs, ensuring the Centaur was designed with real-world challenges in mind.
In September 2025, the Centaur had its first public test drive at the Somerset Festival, marking thr cuimination of years of relentless innovation, customer collaboration, and design refinement. Now available across the UK, the Centaur is ready to transform lives, offering agility, elevation, and style in one function design
The Centaur is now in production and ready for order.
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Aspen House, Central Boulevard,
Blythe Valley Business Park,
Solihull,
West Midlands,
England, B90 8AJ
