MRW: Manasik Robotic Wheelchair for Tawaf and Sa’i in the Holy Mosque in Makkah in Saudi Arabia
As the number of elderly and disabled visitors to Al Masjid Al Haram increases, an efficient and easy transportation solution becomes essential. However, existing methods have limitations, such as relying heavily on the visitor’s driving skills, traditional wheelchairs needing human intervention and significant physical effort, and language barriers between all visitors. Therefore, a new and innovative transportation solution is needed to overcome these challenges. This project focuses on the need to innovate new solutions, develop and train driving skills, reduce physical effort, enable independent mobility, overcome language barriers, and ensure a stress-free transportation experience for visitors to the Holy Mosque. This project uses a line-following robot equipped with a color sensor and a distance sensor to navigate a predefined path. The color sensor enables the robot to follow a black line and uses red markers to count labs and navigating between Tawaf and Sa’i. The distance sensor allows the robot to stop automatically when an obstacle is detected within 10 cm and resume movement once the path is clear. A proportional control method is applied to ensure reliable line following. The robot begins its journey in the Mataf area to perform Tawaf, and upon completing seven laps, it transitions to the Masa’ area to perform Sa’i. The system was tested in an environment simulating Al Masjid Al Haram pathways, focusing on navigation accuracy, obstacle detection. A functional prototype was successfully developed, demonstrating effective line-following and obstacle detection. The robot accurately followed the designated path, responded to red line markers, and detected obstacles, ensuring smooth and safe navigation. The system was tested in an environment simulating the pathways of Al Masjid Al Haram, showing high reliability in guiding the robot through the specified routes. The Manasik Robotic Wheelchair provides an innovative solution for mobility challenges in the Holy Mosque. It significantly improves accessibility and convenience for visitors, making religious journeys more inclusive and stress-free. Further refinements and real-world testing are recommended to enhance its effectiveness and ensure widespread implementation.