As if Muslim prayers weren't robotic enough already, this new robot rug will correct every deviation from form.

Islamonline: CAIRO — Using modern technology to serve Muslims better perform their religious rituals, a fourth-year PhD computer science student has designed a high-tech prayer rug equipped with sensors, lights and a Qur'an display screen.

"It will increase their understanding of the scriptures and the quality of the prayer," inventor Wael Aboulsaadat told the Toronto Star on Thursday, May 15.

Aboulsaadat, studying for his PhD at the University of Toronto's computer science department, has designed a prayer rug with built-in sensors that can detect the worshipper's posture.

If the user makes an error, such as missing or adding a step in the prayer sequence, the sensors will vibrate in alert...

It also features a compass – complete with a 3D model of the holy mosque in Makkah – so the worshipper can find Ka`bah direction wherever he/she may be...

The digital rug has lights that can be used in case the worshipper is in a dark place.

It is also equipped with a digital screen enabling the worshipper to follow the Quran verses recited during the prayer.

"You can customize and choose which [verses to read in the] prayers," says Aboulsaadat, 36...

Wow, you mean choosing a fixed verse to stick into a fixed verse? That seems like a dangerous amount of freedom to me.

He says the prayer eRug is just a prototype that can be further enhanced to fit all major religions.

Aboulsaadat hopes to work on the invention so that people of all faiths could use it in their religious activities.

He contends that a Catholic learning catechism, a Buddhist wanting deeper meditation, a Jew studying the Torah could benefit from a digital device that would remind, correct and allow for customization. 

Could a Torah rug contaminate a Muslim rug if they accidentally touched? Will there be adequate precautions?