Saudi Arabia has launched a new artificial intelligence platform designed to manage operations across the holy sites during Hajj and Umrah. Called Roya, the system combines AI, satellite imaging and mapping technology to track crowds, traffic and heat in real time, helping authorities respond faster in some of the most densely packed locations on earth.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the platform was developed by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, known as KACST, in partnership with the General Directorate of Public Security at the Ministry of Interior. The agency reported the launch on June 1, 2026.

What the Platform Does

Roya is built on artificial intelligence, remote sensing technologies and Geographic Information Systems. The Saudi Press Agency said the platform supports security and operational activities at the holy sites, improving response speed and decision-making during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Its core services center on understanding how crowds move. The platform analyses satellite imagery and geospatial data to study traffic flow and monitor crowd density, then produces field indicators that help security teams manage critical locations more efficiently. KACST said these capabilities improve the pilgrim experience while strengthening safety and organisation.

The system also watches the heat. It analyses thermal zones and land surface temperature variations across Makkah and the holy sites, detects irregular patterns and generates spatial reports to guide field operations. With Hajj falling in the searing summer months in recent years, monitoring temperature has become central to protecting pilgrims.

The Data Behind It

KACST said the platform draws on a substantial archive of imagery. It includes nearly 2,000 satellite images from current and previous seasons, alongside 126 aerial imaging operations covering Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites and the surrounding road network.

The platform also provides urban heat island monitoring, offering a fuller environmental and climate assessment to support analysis on the ground. According to KACST, all operations are automated, from importing data through to processing and the real-time display of results and statistics, which improves both efficiency and processing speed.

Operated by KACST, Roya is linked to the Public Security Command and Control Center network. It features an interactive interface for real-time data visualisation, designed specifically to support operations in high-density areas where conditions can change within minutes.

Part of a Wider Technology Push

Roya is the latest in a series of technology-driven measures Saudi authorities have introduced to manage the growing number of pilgrims. From digital permit systems to large-scale cooling and crowd-flow engineering, the Kingdom has increasingly leaned on data and automation to keep the rites safe and orderly.

For pilgrims, much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its effects are felt directly in shorter bottlenecks, faster emergency response and better management of heat-related risk.

Practical tips for pilgrims:

  • Follow official routing. Crowd-management systems work best when pilgrims keep to the designated paths and timed entry slots rather than improvising routes.
  • Respect timed permits. Arriving within your assigned window helps the authorities balance density across the holy sites and reduces crowding risk for everyone.
  • Take heat seriously. Carry water, use an umbrella, and rest in shaded or cooled areas, especially during midday hours when surface temperatures peak.
  • Report problems early. If you notice dangerous crowding, alert the nearest security or volunteer staff, who are connected to the central monitoring network.

By turning satellite data and AI into live operational guidance, Saudi authorities aim to anticipate problems at the holy sites before they escalate, rather than simply reacting once large crowds have already formed.