NEW DELHI: Galgotias University was instructed to shut down and vacate its exhibition stall at the AI Summit Expo held at Bharat Mandapam on Wednesday. The action followed claims that a robotic dog displayed at the university’s booth as an innovation was actually a commercially available product from China, according to government sources.
The robot, introduced at the stall under the name “Orion,” was later identified by observers as the Unitree Go2 — a quadruped robot manufactured by Chinese robotics company Unitree. The development sparked controversy during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a major artificial intelligence event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What the controversy involves
The robotic dog exhibited at the university’s pavilion was recognized as the Unitree Go2, a robot that is already available in the Indian market at an estimated cost of ₹2–3 lakh.
Critics alleged that the robot was presented in a manner suggesting it was developed by the university itself. This raised concerns, as the summit was intended to spotlight indigenous innovation in artificial intelligence. Reports indicated that after scrutiny increased, electricity supply to the university’s stall was disconnected once it was asked to leave the expo area.
What led to the backlash
During a presentation, Professor Neha Singh described the robot while speaking to DD News. She highlighted the university’s investment of over ₹350 crore in artificial intelligence and mentioned the establishment of a dedicated data science and AI block on campus. She stated that “Orion” had been developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence and described its ability to adapt in form and perform surveillance and monitoring tasks. She also remarked that the robot had a playful personality.
Her remarks later became a focal point in the controversy, as questions were raised about whether the university had implied that it had created the robot.
Opposition response
The incident triggered strong political reactions. The Congress party criticized the government on social media, alleging that displaying a Chinese-made robot as an Indian innovation had embarrassed the country on an international platform. It also accused Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw of promoting foreign technology at an event meant to showcase India’s AI capabilities.
The party further stated that such incidents harm India’s global image in the field of artificial intelligence, a sector where it believes the country has the potential to lead due to its vast data resources.
University’s clarification
In its initial statement, Galgotias University clarified that it neither manufactured nor claimed to have manufactured the robotic dog. The institution emphasized that its objective was to expose students to advanced global technologies to enhance learning.
The university stated that while it did not build the robot, its focus is on nurturing talent that will eventually design and produce similar technologies within India. It added that innovation transcends borders and that sourcing advanced tools from across the world helps students analyze, improve, and eventually create world-class solutions domestically.
Professor Neha Singh later acknowledged that the controversy may have arisen from unclear communication. She accepted responsibility for not expressing herself clearly during the presentation, explaining that the enthusiasm and pace of the event may have led to misunderstandings. She reiterated that the university never claimed to have manufactured the robot and that its purpose in showcasing the device was to inspire students to build superior technologies in the future.
Despite the clarification, the identification of the robot as the Unitree Go2 shifted attention away from the summit’s broader focus on India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence
