Making a cuppa might never be the same again thanks to a new gadget that acts as both a kettle and mug.
The so-called 'Kug' looks like a normal travel mug but it comes with a heating element that can boil water in just 90 seconds.
Lightweight and portable, the colourful mugs can be kept in the kitchen at home or taken to work.
Designers Ben Millett, 21, and Alan Harrison, 22, initially developed the Kug as part of a college project.
Inventors: Ben Millett, 21, and Alan Harrison, 22, originally designed the Kug for people with arthritis
The pair, both students at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, were tasked with creating a gadget that would make life easier for arthritis sufferers.
Mr Millett, from County Roscommon, said: 'It was completely open - we could design anything we wanted.
'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.
'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.'
The Kug is made up of two cups. The outer vessel contains the heating filament and is plugged into a base. The inner cup contains the liquid and can be removed and washed
The Kug is energy efficient because you only put the amount you actually need into the cup
After two months developing the idea, the boys finally had their finished product.
The design was so well received it won the Arthritis Ireland Easy to Use Design Award.
But despite initially creating the Kug for people with arthritis, the pair say they've been inundated with inquiries from all sorts of people.
Mr Millett said: 'We wanted to make a product that everyone would want to use.
'We've had an extremely positive reaction to the Kug from a broad spectrum of people - not just those suffering with arthritis.
'Some people love the way it feels and how easy is to use and others just love tea and coffee and want the Kug on their desk at work.'
The Kug is made up of two cups. The outer vessel contains the heating filament and is plugged into a base, which is powered through mains electricity.
The inner container holds the liquid. It can be removed and washed after every use.
Mr 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.'
Mr Millett and Mr Harrison are currently discussing mass producing their ground-breaking gizmo and hope it will appear in shops later this year.
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