Anyone who has driven home from a day of skiing with a backup camera covered in road salt, slush or snow knows how frustrating it can be. A Vermont inventor has developed a device designed to solve that problem without requiring drivers to get out of their vehicles.
Called Lens Lizard, the remote-controlled cleaning system attaches behind a vehicle’s rear license plate and uses a small nozzle to spray windshield washer fluid directly onto the backup camera. Drivers activate the system by pressing a wireless button inside the vehicle, clearing away the grime that can make the camera virtually useless during winter driving.
The device was created by Mike Klein, a resident of Stowe, Vermont, one of New England’s best known ski towns.
A Simple Solution to a Common Winter Problem
Lens Lizard is designed to work with vehicles that have backup cameras positioned above their license plates. The system uses existing license plate mounting holes, eliminating the need to drill into the vehicle or connect to its electrical system.
The cleaning unit contains a small reservoir for windshield washer fluid, an adjustable spray nozzle and four lithium AA batteries. According to the manufacturer, installation takes approximately five minutes, the fluid reservoir can last more than three months under typical conditions, and the batteries are designed to last more than two years.
The company says the device can remove road salt, mud, snow and light ice from backup cameras. Winter grade windshield washer fluid helps prevent the system from freezing during cold weather. For drivers navigating the snowy roads throught the winter months, the ability to clear a backup camera without stepping outside could be a welcome convenience.
Vermont Invention Raises More Than $430,000 on Kickstarter
Klein launched Lens Lizard on Kickstarter in February 2026, seeking $5,000 to bring the product to market. By the time the campaign ended March 19, it had raised more than $430,000 from over 3,500 backers.
The company is now accepting preorders through its website, where a single Lens Lizard is listed for $109.
Although the original plan called for deliveries beginning in the spring, the company’s current production schedule anticipates the first shipments between December 2026 and January 2027, with Kickstarter backers receiving their orders before website preorder customers.
