Local media reported that robots will be installed inside the women's prayer areas of the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in the Saudi city of Mecca.

According to the Saudi news portal Ajel, the chief of the General Presidency for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdulrahman Al Sudais, has directed the introduction of guidance robots into female prayer areas in mosques to help worshippers perform their rites smoothly.

The smart machines provide several guidance services to the faithful, including access to fatwas and religious edicts.

According to Al Sudais, they performed well during the Hajj season.

During the past Hajj pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia, which ended earlier this month, robots were used to access fatwas and provide holy Zamzam water. Sterilisation efforts are boosted by them.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted authorities in Saudi Arabia to limit Hajj to domestic pilgrims for two years, but this year's Hajj saw nearly 900,000 pilgrims from outside the country.