Initially, I just wanted to help myself. So I started tinkering, the way people in the van and camper world do. Anyone who's ever tried to build their own van curtains or develop an alternative to thermal mats knows how quickly you reach your limits.
But with each step, my demands grew. I wanted to include more and more: more features, more comfort, more performance. I wanted a system that reliably darkened the windows, kept out the heat in summer, insulated in winter, and could still remain permanently installed in the vehicle. I wanted to convert my van into a true stealth campervan. In short, I was looking for the perfect all-rounder.
This made the implementation increasingly complicated and extensive. What started as a small DIY idea had become a full-fledged development project. It was no longer just about a curtain for my van, but about a well-designed system for campervans that combines everyday life and travel.
At the same time, discussions with others repeatedly revealed a noticeable interest in such a solution. Many were looking for an alternative to traditional thermal mats or for blackout solutions for their Mercedes, VW, or Ford, without having to drill holes or constantly modify the vehicle.
At some point, I decided to take the plunge and turn it into a real product.
The project was given a name: CENTAUR. A hybrid being that unites two worlds and quite aptly describes the tension between the different demands.
Many prototypes, revisions, new approaches, discarded ideas, lucky coincidences, and a few additional grey hairs followed.