Hajj in the age of technology... innovative technologies to serve pilgrims

Weather of Arabia - The Hajj season is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, as millions of Muslims gather annually in Mecca to perform the Hajj rituals.

Given the large numbers and specific duration of this season, the Saudi government has a vital role in adopting and harnessing innovative technologies to meet various challenges, adding to its great efforts in serving pilgrims from all over the world. In this article, I will review some of the innovative technologies used to serve pilgrims and the benefits gained from them, whether logistical, security, or economic.

See also: Watch...the pioneers of pilgrims reach Mount Al-Rahma in Mash’ar Arafat

Innovative technologies to serve pilgrims

As part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enable and harness innovative technologies to serve humanity in accordance with the goals of its Vision 2030, many stakeholders are involved in achieving this, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Hajj and Umrah, Interior, Health, Communications and Information Technology, in addition to bodies such as the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

• Technologies and applications to serve pilgrims

As a result, many technologies and applications have been provided to serve pilgrims this season, such as smart phones that help pilgrims move around and perform rituals easily, and include detailed maps of holy sites, guides for rituals, in addition to information about prayer times and gathering places.

Safety and security applications include a pilgrim location service, which allows alerts to be sent for immediate assistance in emergency situations.

• Smart wristbands

Another innovative technology is smart wristbands, which contain an electronic chip that carries the pilgrim’s information, such as his name, nationality, and contact information, which contributes to facilitating the process of identifying him and providing assistance quickly in the event of loss or any emergency. It is also used in monitoring health status.

• Smart robots

In addition to smart robots that provide various services such as:

1. Guidance in crowded places
2. Answer inquiries in multiple languages
3. Water distribution

Which contributes significantly to reducing pressure on workers and improving the efficiency of the services provided. As for artificial intelligence technologies, they have proven their effectiveness in crowd management by analyzing the massive flow and managing large gatherings, as congestion can be predicted and crowds can be directed effectively to avoid chaos, which enhances the safety of pilgrims. .

#Al-Arabiya correspondent Hani Al-Safyan monitors from the #Jamarat_facility the precise follow-up mechanism by monitoring centers to manage crowds technically and via #Artificial_Intelligence #Al-Arabiya_in_Hajj pic.twitter.com/yUV3R6mc5I

- Saudi Arabia (@AlArabiya_KSA) June 17, 2024

• Self-driving vehicles for transporting pilgrims

There are also trials of using self-driving vehicles to transport pilgrims within specific areas, reducing the need for drivers and improving the flow of movement in crowded places.

• Digital identity

In addition, there are many initiatives and electronic platforms, such as the digital identity for pilgrims, which enables them to prove their identity electronically through the “Absher” and “Tawakkalna” platforms.

• Thermal cameras and drones

Advanced control and monitoring centers have also been established, supported by the latest innovative technologies, such as thermal cameras and drones, to monitor the security, health and logistical conditions in general during the Hajj season, which contributes to providing an immediate response to emergency events, improving crowd management, and achieving the security and safety of pilgrims.

There is no doubt that the Hajj sector is witnessing great development thanks to thoughtful and advanced strategic plans that adopt and employ innovative technologies of various types, and with the continuous technological and technological development, it becomes necessary to continue research and development in the innovative system and to support and enhance investments in infrastructure. This will contribute to achieving many security, economic and logistical benefits, which contributes greatly to facilitating the performance of rituals and achieving complete pilgrims’ satisfaction.

See also:

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Sources:

aleqt