العربية
The Sohar University student project “Manara” won first place at the Intelligent Planet Hackathon, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after qualifying among the top 25 highest-performing teams worldwide. It was the only team from the Sultanate of Oman to reach the final stage of the competition.
The “Manara” project is based on an AI-powered smart crowd management platform designed to replace traditional reactive monitoring with proactive preventive measures in large-scale gatherings such as Hajj, Umrah, and global events like the World Cup. The platform uses machine learning technologies to predict crowd density and potential risks 15 to 60 minutes before they occur, helping to prevent critical delays that could lead to stampedes or heat-related emergencies.
The system operates through two interfaces: an intelligent control dashboard for authorities and a “Personal Guardian” application for visitors. It also features a composite risk assessment system that considers crowd density, air quality, and extreme heat conditions.
The project attracted the attention of the judging panel for its ability to address environmental and humanitarian challenges in practical and effective ways. Organizers praised the strength of the concept and the quality of its execution, describing “Manara” as a promising model of technological innovation. The project also delivers significant social and economic impact by preventing accidents before they occur, providing digital guidance for groups and families, and safeguarding a tourism economy exceeding $40 billion by enhancing safety in religious tourism in Saudi Arabia and major global events. Additionally, it improves operational efficiency by reducing waiting times and increasing site revenues. It is worth noting that the hackathon witnessed broad international participation this year, with more than 500 teams and over 2,000 innovators representing more than 200 universities from over 45 countries worldwide. This strong global presence reflects the hackathon’s status as a leading international platform bringing together top talents and expertise in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), crowd management, and smart mobility.