Boffins develop 'The Kug': a kettle and a mug!

London, May 12 (ANI): A mug which doubles as a kettle and features a heating element that can boil water in just 90 seconds to make a cup of tea or coffee has been developed. ug is the brainchild of Ben Millett, 21, and Alan Harrison, 22, who came up with it for a design project at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.

The pair had been tasked with creating a product to help people with rheumatoid arthritis when they created the Kug.

"As part of our research we met people with the condition to talk to them about what kind of problems they encountered on a day-to-day basis," the Telegraph quoted Millett as saying.

"And when we stopped for lunch we noticed some of the ladies trying to pour a cup of tea. After chatting to them we found out how difficult it was for them to lift a kettle that's how it all started.

"We looked at the whole process of making a hot drink - from the kettle to putting a tea bag in a cup and filling it with water. And after lots of concepts we ended up with this idea.

"It meant one less object people would have to deal with and it wouldn't be such a strain on the wrists, hands and fingers," Millett added.

The design even won the Arthritis Ireland Easy to Use Design Award.

The Kug, similar in size to a travel mug, is made up of two cups.

The outer cup contains the heating filament and is plugged into a base, which is powered through mains electricity.

The inner cup, which contains the liquid, can be removed and washed after every use.

Millett said: "It works just like an ordinary kettle.

"When the water's boiled you just take the cup off the base and enjoy your drink. You can also adjust the temperate on the base so it keeps the liquid warm until you're ready.

He added: "It's energy efficient and saves water because you only put the amount you actually need into the cup. It's also portable so you can have it at home or take it in the car with you and have it on your desk at work. And it's much lighter than a kettle." (ANI)