It may be difficult for non-Muslims to understand the scale of the Hajj, when more 2 million people descend on Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia each year to participate one of the holiest obligations of Islamic life. It’s a logistic nightmare — housing, transportation, food, crowd control, health care, policing, and other governmental functions like visas, all need to be provided for just one week.
Developers in Pakistan are working on the Hajj Guider wearable and app combination that will help hajjis communicate and navigate during their pilgrimage. The wristband component promises to provide health and location tracking and walkie-talkie-like communication without the need for cellular or WiFi coverage. The Hajj Guider companion app will provide GPS and mapping functions for the pilgrimage, as well as help with travel bookings and ritual.
Developers hope to have the package ready for next year’s Hajj, which in 2016 will come in late October. Pricing will be at or below $100.