The two holiest cities of Muslims will be digitized by the South Korean technology company Naver. Through an agreement between Naver and the government of Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Medina Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam digital versions will be developed virtually and operate for five years starting in 2024 with an estimated cost of around $100 million.
Through this digitization, various simulations on traffic, development, integration of new technology, and maintenance can be done virtually first to see their effectiveness. If proven in the digital version, then the tested system is introduced in the real city.
In addition Naver will give access to these digital cities to Saudi start-ups that may want to introduce traffic control systems, self-driving and artificial intelligence. Another capability of this digital city by Naver Lab is that it can also be used to simulate natural disasters before they occur.
The cities of Mecca and Medina have long used technology to control pilgrims who come to perform Hajj and Umrah. Human movement simulation technology, for example, was used to build a high-rise bridge to throw stones after the 1990 Muassim Tunnel tragedy.