Hajji Watheer Escape Technologies: Smart Saudi solutions to serve the pilgrims
The Kingdom's historic and ongoing efforts in serving the guests of God
Throughout history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given paramount importance and meticulous attention to serving the pilgrims, with the healthcare system and security services provided to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims undergoing radical development. With the launch of Vision 2030, the health sector has witnessed an unprecedented digital transformation, aiming to leverage the latest global technologies to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. In this broader context, the importance of scientific and technical events that bring together experts and specialists to exchange insights and develop proactive solutions for crowd management and the provision of advanced medical care befitting the Kingdom's Islamic and global standing becomes evident.
King Abdulaziz University actively participated in the Health and Security Forum
A press tour revealed a prominent and distinguished presence of King Abdulaziz University at the exhibition accompanying the third edition of the “Health and Security in Hajj Forum,” organized by the General Directorate of Medical Services at the Ministry of Interior in Jeddah. This participation reflects the Kingdom’s strategic direction towards employing artificial intelligence and digital technologies in developing health and psychological services provided to both the community and pilgrims, with the participation of a select group of leaders and experts in the fields of health and crowd management.
Therapescape: A Revolution in Digital Psychotherapy
Among the innovative projects showcased at the university's pavilion, the Therascape capsule project stood out. This project is one of the latest therapeutic solutions that integrates artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies to enhance mental health and well-being. It aims to help patients overcome psychological trauma and replace painful memories with positive experiences through an immersive digital environment.
Dr. Lujain Saud Sharif, Associate Professor of Psychiatric Nursing at King Abdulaziz University, explained that the project represents an advanced convergence of modern technology and psychotherapeutic methods. The capsule integrates the senses of hearing, sight, and smell within a secure digital environment under the supervision of specialists, thus enhancing both safety and therapeutic effectiveness. She emphasized that the use of virtual reality is no longer merely a futuristic concept, but has become a promising therapeutic approach that elevates the quality of life and digital healthcare services.
Achievements of the Health Promotion Center and Artificial Intelligence Projects
On the other hand, Thamer Al-Harbi from the university's Health Promotion Center explained that the center has surpassed 1.6 million beneficiaries of its services and awareness initiatives, emphasizing the ongoing work to develop initiatives targeting various segments of society. The university continues to offer smart solutions, including the "Sign2Sense" project, which uses artificial intelligence to provide real-time translation of Saudi Sign Language, thus supporting the mental health of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and facilitating their two-way communication with therapists.
The researchers also reviewed the “Hajji” application, which is an intelligent system linked to medical sensors to monitor the health status of pilgrims and intervene quickly when needed, thus increasing the efficiency of medical and security services during the Hajj season.
The local and international impact of Saudi innovations
The university's pavilion was visited by the Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, who was briefed on these pioneering initiatives and research projects. The significance of these innovations extends beyond their local impact in enhancing the Hajj experience and achieving the goals of Vision 2030; it also has a regional and international impact. The Kingdom is now setting new global standards in "crowd medicine" and the management of massive gatherings, making these smart Saudi solutions a global model for harnessing technology to serve humanity and protect lives.
