HAJJ GUIDER-a Pakistan based startup aims to solve communication problem that hajj pilgrims face every year. The startup is building a wearable technology linked to an app that will enable pilgrims to communicate with group members, friends and family and also send audio message in need.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of faith of Islam. Every year hundreds of thousands of people go to holy city Mecca to perform hajj. Last year, it was estimated that 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world performed hajj. This is huge number to provide facilities and security for. However, Saudi Government does its best to ensure proper facilities for pilgrims but still it does not suffice.
Problems like getting lost and drifting away from group due to huge crowd remain unresolved. Top of that, accidents and tragedies are common occurrences during pilgrimage. Along with major occurrences like that of 2006 when around 350 pilgrims died of an accident, small occurrences happen each year.
One of the difficulties that pilgrims commonly face is communication. Communicating with friends and family during hajj can be difficult.
Hajj Guider claims they have built-in GPS and Bluetooth system in their product that enables it to perform various tracking related tasks including geo-fencing. Group leader can easily monitor and track group members and also get notification if a group member goes beyond the set territory. Although the device is linked to an app which requires Smartphone but a single Smartphone for a group of fifty to sixty people is enough to operate.
Hajj Guider has got a real problem to solve, if they can build a real winning product this has potential to go global. There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims and the number of people performing hajj is on the rise. At the same time, wearable technology is talk of the world now, with Pebble and Apple watch having huge attention everyone knows about wearable technologies. This is a given advantage for team Hajj Guider. However, future depends on how you act today.
Sources: TechinAsia, Guardian, IBTimes
