Sami Hajjaj PhD

Associate Professor, School of Robotics

Dr Sami Hajjaj (PEng, CEng, SMIEEE) is an Associate Professor in the School of Robotics at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Dr Hajjaj is also a certified Professional Engineer (PEng), a Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE).

In research, Dr Hajjaj focuses on Digital Automation & Integrated Systems; by combining Automation & Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop integrated solutions, such as IoT-Robotics, AI-powered IoT systems, Industrial IoT, and related topics. Visit samihajjaj.com for more details.

Throughout his career, Dr Hajjaj has collaborated with industrial partners from several sectors, initiated projects, received funding, and secured industrial support for his students (see below for details).

Dr Hajjaj is also active in publication; he authored engineering books on Robot Systems and Industrial IoT, published papers in Q1 Journal Papers, presented papers at IEEE conferences, and registered several Patents and other Intellectual Properties (IPs).

Coming from a family of teachers, Dr Hajjaj enjoys working and creating with students. He helped past students secure scholarships, industrial funding, and job placement.

If you want to work with Dr Hajjaj, then please contact him immediately, as places and projects are limited (contact information below).


  • Doctor of Philosophy, Engineering (Robotics), National Energy University, Malaysia (2018)
  • Master of Science, Manufacturing Engineering (Mechatronics), IIUM, Malaysia (2007)
  • Bachelor of Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering (Mechanical), IIUM, Malaysia (2002)


  • Associate Professor, School of Robotics, XJTLU, Dec 2022 - Present
  • Assistant Professor (Senior Lecturer), College of Engineering, National Energy University, Aug 2018 - Sept 2022
  • Senior Lecturer, College of Engineering, National Energy University, Apr 2012 - Jul 2018
  • Lecturer, School of Engineering, INTI International University & Colleges, May 2007 - Mar 2012
  • Technical Support & Trainer, Scicom Academy (for the Nokia Middle East & North Africa Region), Nov 2004 - Mar 2007
  • Assistant Lecturer, IIUM (Part-time), Nov 2001 - Mar 2004


  • Technology Integration, IoT-enabled Robotics, AI-powered IoT and Robot Systems, 5G-ready systems [2022 - current]
  • Advanced Learning Algorithms, Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics [2021-Current]
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) and Embedded Systems [2017-current]
  • Robotics: Software Design (PhD Work), the Robot Operating System (ROS), Robot Control, Cloud-Robotics [2012-2017]
  • Robotics: Hardware Design, Robot Gripper Design, Humanoids, Robot-Human Interface systems [2007 - 2012]
  • Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Technologies, Systems, and innovation [2002 - 2007]


  • Sample Recent Articles (full list available online):
  • Hajjaj, S; Aqeel, A. et al. (2022). Review of Recent Efforts in Cooling Photovoltaic Panels (PVs) for Enhanced Performance and Better Impact on the Environment. Nanomaterials (Q1)
  • Gsangaya, K.R., Hajjaj, S. et al. (2022). Portable IoT Body Temperature Screening System to Combat the Adverse Effects of COVID-19. J. of Sensors & Actuator Networks (MDPI). 2022, 11, 22.
  • Gsangaya, K. R., Hajjaj, S., Hashim, W., & Razali, R. A. (2021). Intelligent Multi-cellular Network Connectivity for Internet of Things Applications. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LCNS, volume 13051) 310–321.
  • Hajjaj, S. M.T.H. Sultan, Hafiz, M. and S. H. Lee, (2020) Utilizing the Internet of Things to Develop a Remotely Monitored Floodgate for Water Management and Control. Water (Switzerland) – Open Access Journal
  • Hajjaj, S. and Salleh, K. (2019). Developing a Portable Human Robot Interaction (HRI) Framework for Outdoor Robots through Selective Compartmentalization. The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
  • Hajjaj, S. and Salleh, K. (2017). Establishing Remote ROS networks via PortForwarding: a Detailed Tutorial. Int. J. of Advanced Robotics Systems (IJARS)


  • Select Recent Works (full list available online):
  • Hajjaj, S. and M. H. Moktar, Review of Recent Works on Internet of Things-enabled Small-scale Wind energy Portable Turbines (IoT-SWEPT) for Wind Energy, 2022 IEEE 5th International Symposium in Robotics and Manufacturing Automation (ROMA), 2022, pp. 1-8
  • Hajjaj, S. and Karim, N. (2021). Adoption of Robotics in the TV & Film Industry: The IoT-enabled Robotic Camera Dolly. 30th IEEE International Conference on Robot & Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN).
  • Hajjaj, S. and Asyraf, M (2018), Design and Implementation of a Rotary Parking System for a truly Smart City. 8th IEEE Int. Conf. on Control, Computing, and Engineering (ICCSCE 2018)
  • Hajjaj, S. and Salleh, K. (2016). Review of Agriculture Robotics: Practicality and Feasibility. 4th IEEE Int. Symp. on Robotics and Intelligent Sensors (IEEE/IRIS2016).
  • Hajjaj, S. and Salleh, K. (2014). Review of research in the area of Agriculture Mobile Robots. The 8th Int. Conf. on Robotic, Vision, Signal Processing & Power Applications (ROVISP).


  • Hajjaj, S. and Gsangaya, K. (2022), The Internet of Mechanical Things: The IOT Framework for Mechanical Engineers. CRC, Routledge, ISBN 9781032110950. [Taylor & Francis]
  • Hajjaj, S. (2022), The Robot Operating System (ROS) for Agriculture Robots and Automated Systems, ISBN 9769670035116 (Printed), UPM Press


  • Select Professional Activities:
  • Judge, The World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2012, Organized by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Malaysia
  • Assessor (8 sessions), Professional Review for Chartered Engineer, IMechE Malaysia Chapter, Jul 2019 - Jan 2020
  • Verified Paper Reviewer - Intelligent Service Robotics (12 papers), 2018 - 2020
  • Judge, MMU Research Innovation Commercialization & Entrepreneurship Showcase 2018, (RICES 2018). MMU, Malaysia
  • Invited Speaker, The IEEE Robotics Tour 2018. IEEE Robotics & Automation Society (IEEE/RAS), The Energy Sphere, UNITEN


  • AREA I - Mechatronics, Automation, and Embedded Systems:
  • Programming for Engineers (Python & C++), UNITEN, 2021-2022 [Creator]
  • Electronics & Microprocessors (Intro to IoT), UNITEN, 2018 - 2022 [Creator]
  • Electro-Mechanical Systems (EMS), UNITEN, 2020-2022
  • Introduction to Robotics / Advanced Robotics, INTI IU, UNITEN, 2008 - 2022 [Creator]
  • Computer Aided Engineering, INTI IU, 2008 - 2010
  • AREA II - Manufacturing Technologies:
  • Manufacturing Processes & Automation, INTI IU, 2008 - 2010 [Creator]
  • Manufacturing Technology & Control, INTI IU, 2007 - 2009
  • Production Planning & Control (PPC), INTI IU, 2007 - 2009
  • AREA III - Mechanical Engineering:
  • Machine Design, UNITEN, 2013 - 2018 [Creator]
  • Theory of Machine, UNITEN, 2012-2015 [Creator]
  • Engineering Mechanics (Statics), INTI IU, 2007 - 2012 [Creator]


  • Professional Engineer (PEng), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), since 2019 [P120837]
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng), Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) & the Engineering Council (UK), since 2018, [652006]
  • Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE), Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (US), since 2018 [94071153]
  • Certified IoT Specialist (CIoTS), National R&D Centre, Malaysia, since 2019 [300145]
  • Certified Professional Trainer, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia, since 2021 [770728885069]


  • Select Awards, full list available on ORCID:
  • Gold medal - The Farm Blockchain Manager for IoT-enabled Agriculture. The Seoul International Invention Fair 2021 (SIIF 2021)
  • Gold medal - Auto-Select Network Management for IVMS, The Seoul International Invention Fair 2020 (SIIF 2020)
  • Gold medal - IoT Vehicle Management System (IVMS), Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE 2020)
  • Gold medal - Flood Mitigation & Monitoring through IoT, Int. Innovation & Technology Exhibition, Malaysia (ITEX 2018)
Sami Hajjaj