A female student has crafted a movable cleansing apparatus that serves as an alternative to conventional bathing. Its design fundamentally mirrors that of a cat's tongue.
Irina Samoilova, studying at Moscow State Pedagogical University named after Stroganova, became a finalist in the Lexus Design Award 2020 competition. The panel reviewed her Lick concept—a transportable cleaning product that allows washing without a shower or bathtub.
The gadget consists of a compact “shell” that houses internal mechanisms and liquid containers. Encasing these is a soft material whose texture replicates a cat’s tongue, covered with “papillae” that aid in eliminating dirt.
Because the material is both soft and elastic, it can reach hard-to-access areas, and the papillae also make it possible to clean body parts covered with hair.
RELATED: 11 Unusual Snapshots from the 1900s: “Thank Heavens That Era Is Gone!”
Lick proves useful for anyone who, for various reasons, lacks access to a bath or shower. According to Fast Company, Irina originally designed the device for her bedridden grandmother. The student sought an alternative to washcloths and moist wipes. The Lick can also be employed during prolonged trips.
Currently, the young designer possesses only a mock-up, but in collaboration with Lexus she will develop a working prototype to showcase at Milan Design Week 2020. The projects of the other five finalists will also be displayed there.
READ: Swollen Lip Aesthetics: Why Women Scratched, Bit, and Pierced Their Lips for Centuries
