Our designer, Paul Campbell drew on his father's experiences with a wheelchair to create the Centaur.

Bill Campbell was an inspiration. As a design engineer he created beautiful things. He continued to inspire, even afer retirement, teaching the next generation of designers, so not surprisingly, I became the third generation of my family to join the Ford Motor Co's design team.

When his mobility started to deteriorate, he struggled to adapt to a wheelchair. It was frustrating. In his favourite restaurant he would often block the aisle.

He couldn't tuck his legs under the table; food was often spilt on his lap. Being looked down on when you're wheelchair bound is bad enough. This was an added humiliation.

At home, most of the kitchen was out of reach and falls were frequent. His wheelchair gave some options, but it restricted him too and looked medical. He hated that.

Centaur Robotics had been founded by a father whose son had cerebral palsy. David Rajan wanted a power chair his son could be proud of, that would look good, but would also meet his needs.

Together, with former Ford engineer John Reed, who had also seen at first hand the restrictions of a traditional wheelchair, we created The Centaur.

The Centaur has just two wheels and uses unique self-balancing technology. It's built with all the robust engineering principles you would expect from designers and engineers drawn from the automotive world.

“It looks good, negotiates tight spaces, spins on a sixpence and, of course, fits into the space of a dining room chair. No more spilt food.

The Centaur's footplate rests on the floor. A lifting column helps reach that high shelf, make a coffee safely, buy a drink at the bar. Dad would've loved that.”

Good design can end the social isolation resulting from reduced mobility.

Dad helped ensure Ford classic cars were stylish and desirable. Something you were proud to be seen in.

That's why I know he would've loved the Centaur.