About Us

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.

Why Centaur?

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.

Meet the dedicated team who makes all this happen

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.

JAMES NICKSON

Chief Marketing Officer

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

JAMES NICKSON

Chief Marketing Officer

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

JULIAN TURNER

Chief Technology Officer

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

JOHN REED

Non-Executive Director

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

DAVID PREMKUMAR

Lead Control & Systems Engineer

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

JAMES NICKSON

Chief Marketing Officer

James, a seasoned professional, values wellbeing inclusivity and innovation. He has delivered growth and helped built well-known brands including telecom provider O2 and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The Centaur Story: A Journey of Innovestion and Inclusion

2014: A Father's Vision

2014
A Father's Vision

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.

Developing Form

Matching form to proportion

DAI award will help Centaur users ‘age-in-place’
DAI award will help Centaur users ‘age-in-place’
DAI award will help Centaur users ‘age-in-place’
DAI award will help Centaur users ‘age-in-place’
DAI award will help Centaur users ‘age-in-place’

2019: From Passion to Progress

2019
From Passion
to Progress

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.

Optimising the CAE and CAS digital surfaces for manufacture

Prototype builds

2020: A New Chapter

2020
A New Chapter

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.

2022: A Year of Milestones

2022
A Year of Milestones

May 2022 marked a pivotal moment as Centaur unveiled its first prototype at Somerset House in London to rave reviews. The Centaur’s ability to restore joy and independence to people’s lives was recognised when it won the Inclusive Guest Innovation Award.

Later that year, the Centaur became the centrepiece of the Future of Ageing exhibit at London’s Design Museum and the V&A Dundee. Its potential to help travellers navigate busy airports was further recognised in Dubai, where it was named a finalist in the Aviation X Lab 2023. The Centaur was even presented to the Chairman of Emirates Airlines, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The Design Age Institute also nominated the Centaur as one of its Pathfinder projects, helping Centaur Robotics develop an advanced, easy-to-use control system that would set a new standard for mobility solutions.

2025: Ready to Roll

2025
Ready to Roll

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

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The Centaur is now in production and ready for order.

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