At one of the most closely watched technology events in the country, a university from Greater Noida found itself at the center of a controversy after showcasing a Chinese-made robotic dog as part of its artificial intelligence display. Within hours, the incident snowballed online — and by the next morning, government action reportedly followed.
According to PTI, citing official sources, Galgotias University was instructed to dismantle its stall and vacate the exhibition space at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The five-day summit, inaugurated by Narendra Modi on February 16, has been promoted as a landmark AI gathering hosted in the Global South. The event reportedly brought together more than 20 Heads of State, around 60 ministers, and over 500 global AI leaders. Spread across nearly 70,000 square metres and 10 exhibition arenas, the summit was designed to highlight India’s technological ambitions in artificial intelligence.
What Sparked the Controversy
During a media interaction at the university’s booth, Professor Neha Singh introduced a robotic dog named “Orion,” stating that it had been developed by the institution’s Centre of Excellence. She also highlighted the university’s claimed ₹350 crore investment in AI and referred to a dedicated data science and AI academic block on campus.
Soon after the video surfaced, social media users identified the robot as the Unitree Go2 — a commercially available quadruped robot produced by Unitree Robotics. The device is sold in India for approximately ₹2–3 lakh.
The issue gained further traction after Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video from the university’s stall on X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the robot as part of the summit exhibits. The post was later deleted as criticism intensified.
University’s Clarification
In response to the growing backlash, Galgotias University released a statement on X, clarifying that the robotic dog had been recently acquired from Unitree and was being used as a learning tool for students. The university emphasized that it had not manufactured the robot and had never officially claimed to have built it.
However, Community Notes on X added context beneath the university’s post, stating that a representative had indeed suggested on camera that the robot was developed by the institution’s Centre of Excellence.
Political Reactions and Current Status
The controversy soon entered the political arena. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the summit, calling it a “disorganised PR spectacle.” In a post on X, he alleged that instead of showcasing indigenous capabilities, the event highlighted foreign-made products.
Despite reports of a directive to vacate the premises, a university official, Professor Dr Aishwarya, told PTI that no formal order had been received. She stated that the institution was prepared to address the matter and clarify the situation.
As per the latest updates, the university’s stall remained in place at the summit venue, even as the debate continued online and in political circles.
