Public Transport Authority launched a series of self-driving shuttle buses to transport pilgrims around Makkah

Pilgrims used to have to go through extensive formalities before leaving for Hajj, but with technology on the rise, preparing the spiritual pilgrimage is now just a few clicks away. When they arrive, foreign pilgrims just scan their QR (quick response) code, which contains their e-Visa, which is provided by the newly established portal Nusuk, which is tailored for Hajj and Umrah.

The Public Transport Authority, for the first time,  launched a series of self-driving shuttle buses to transport pilgrims around the city of Makkah. The self-driving cars can hold 11 passengers and travel up to 4 km at speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour for six hours before needing to be recharged.

For pilgrims' safety, the Saudi Data and AI Authority developed Banan, a gadget specialised to face identification of visitors that allows hassle-free verification and authorises travel records and permits. Application developers in the Kingdom have also contributed to the new wave of technology in the Hajj procedure facilitation.

Apple Academy grads Roba Alghanmi, Remaz Alghamdi, Rawan Alsufyani, Raniyah Alotaibi, and Sara Alhumidi interviewed individuals about their Hajj experiences and discovered that many were getting lost in the city.As a consequence, the development team produced Wejha, a navigation app available in five languages that helps pilgrims navigate their way around Makkah by providing 2D and AR maps.

The app is available in the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Turkish, and Urdu.