The Grand Mosque in Makkah is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with smart robots, artificial intelligence, and data analysis now woven into the daily task of serving Umrah pilgrims and visitors. According to Saudi authorities, an integrated system of modern technological tools is being used to ease the performance of rituals, organise crowd movement, and raise the overall quality of service inside and around the mosque.
The push comes as the kingdom welcomes pilgrims for the 1448 AH Umrah season, which reopened to international travellers on June 1, 2026. With millions expected across the season, technology has become a central part of how the holy site is managed.
Robots in Service of Pilgrims
Among the most visible additions are multi-purpose smart robots that provide guidance and awareness services in several languages. For pilgrims who do not speak Arabic, these machines offer directions, answer common questions, and relay practical information without the need to find a human guide in a crowd of hundreds of thousands.
Sanitisation robots are also in operation, helping maintain public health inside the mosque by cleaning surfaces and high-traffic areas. The deployment reflects a wider emphasis on hygiene at the holy sites, where large numbers of people gather in close proximity throughout the day and night.
AI and Data Behind the Scenes
Less visible but equally important is the use of artificial intelligence and big data analysis to monitor crowd movement inside the Grand Mosque and its courtyards. Operational teams use the resulting insights to make immediate decisions, regulating the flow of worshippers and directing visitors toward less crowded routes.
This real-time management is intended to prevent the dangerous build-ups that can occur around the Mataf, the area where pilgrims perform Tawaf, and at the main entrances during peak prayer times. By spreading crowds across available space, authorities aim to keep movement steady and safe.
The Nusuk app, supervised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, remains the main digital platform tying these services together. Pilgrims use it to obtain Umrah and visit permits, manage their travel details, and review the services available to them, with appointment slots helping to distribute arrivals throughout the day.
Making the Most of Smart Services
Pilgrims can benefit directly from these tools with a little preparation. Downloading and setting up the Nusuk app before travelling, and booking an Umrah permit slot in advance, ensures smooth entry to the Grand Mosque, since access is granted only to those holding a valid digital permit.
Those who need directions or information inside the mosque should not hesitate to approach the multilingual guidance robots or the multilingual screens, which can save time and reduce stress in unfamiliar surroundings. Pilgrims are also advised to follow the routing guidance issued by stewards and signage during busy periods, as these directions are often based on the live crowd data being analysed behind the scenes.
Choosing a permit slot outside the busiest prayer windows, where flexibility allows, can make for a calmer and more focused act of worship.