AUS engineering students showcase cybersecurity skills in Hack My Robot competition

A team of American University of Sharjah (AUS) computer engineering students claimed second place in the Hack My Robot competition hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi’s Sustainability Modularization Artificial Intelligence Robotics Technology Construction Research Group.

In this challenging competition, focused on cybersecurity in digitized construction and robotics, the AUS team comprising Master of Science in Computer Engineering students Ansah Siddiqui and Muhammed Noshin and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering students Shahed Obaid and Mahmoud Darwish, displayed exceptional innovation and teamwork. They developed sophisticated strategies to compromise a robotic system, successfully executing tasks such as accessing WiFi passwords, employing social engineering techniques and compromising the robot's core functionality.

"Our success is a reflection of the collaborative effort of our team and the rigorous academic and practical training at AUS. Our diverse skill sets in computer science enabled us to effectively tackle the complex challenges in the competition," said Siddiqui.

The path to the finals was demanding, with the team undergoing an intensive selection process that tested their innovation and strategy. From an initial pool of 25 teams, they emerged as one of the top five finalists. 

"Our preparation involved numerous strategy meetings and practice sessions, focusing on techniques to disrupt and manipulate the robot's functionality," said Siddiqui.

Crucial to their preparation was the guidance the team received from the College of Engineering lab instructors Ahmad Al Nabulsi and Sameer Alawnah, alongside mentorship from Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the College of Engineering. 

“Our team's educational background at AUS, enriched by our active participation in extracurricular activities and previous hackathon experiences, was crucial in developing leadership, communication and technical skills,” said Obaid.

"At the College of Engineering, we thrive on providing an educational environment that is both dynamic and in sync with the evolving demands of the tech industry. The success of our students in this competitive arena reflects our high-standard computer science and engineering programs, which are designed to immerse students in cutting-edge topics, ensuring they are well-equipped to address emerging challenges in the field," said Dr. Aloul.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the AUS College of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Engineering. The CSE curriculum focuses on artificial intelligence, data science and smart cities. AUS is ranked among the top four in the UAE and top 450 universities globally for ​computer science and information systems, according to QS World University Subject Rankings (2023​). 

For more information on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, visit www.aus.edu/cen/cse.