Saudi Arabia continues its drive to use modern technology and artificial intelligence after launching several robots to aid worshippers at Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Makkah.

Unveiled by Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the general president of the Two Holy Mosques, the robots will communicate public messages, which includes relaying sermons and adhans (calls to prayer).

Worshippers can download content, such as the Quran, from the robots to their own devices.  

Pilgrims can also use voice commands to ask for general information from the robots, such as details about the imams, muezzins and the weekly itinerary.  

The robots are part of Saudi's 'smart campus' project, which is in accordance with the country's Vision 2030 and the Presidential Strategic Plan 2024.

Saudi Arabia launched the plan in 2016 to help open up the country and encourage foreign investment as it weans itself off the revenues from oil.  

Intelligent robots

In July, Saudi welcomed over a million worshippers from all over the world in the biggest Hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic.  

During the hajj period, it introduced several smart robots, including robots that cleaned the masjid floor and distributed Quran to worshippers.

A fleet of robots also assisted female worshippers in 11 languages, answering questions about the holy sites and allowing women to communicate with scholars.

In December, Saudi launched a new initiative that allows Muslims to experience touching Hajr Aswad, Makkah's Black Stone, in virtual reality (VR).  

The initiative was part of an exhibition by Exhibitions and Museums Affairs Agency and Umm Al-Qura University to use VR and digital experiences to display historical and religious artefacts.