AI summit row: Galgotias University asked to remove stall over Chinese robot dog display
New Delhi: A controversy has erupted at the AI Summit Expo after a robotic dog showcased by Galgotias University was alleged to be a Chinese product rather than an in-house innovation.
Government sources said the university was instructed to immediately remove its stall following the row over the origin and ownership of the device. The robotic dog, displayed under the name “Orion”, was presented at the summit as part of the university’s exhibition.
However, social media users claimed that the robot was not developed by the institution but was in fact the Go2 model manufactured by Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics.
The device closely resembles the Unitree Go2, an AI-enabled quadruped robot widely used for inspection, surveillance, and research purposes. The Go2 model is priced in the range of ₹2–3 lakh, according to publicly available information.
The controversy intensified after a video from a media interaction at the summit surfaced online. In the clip, a university representative is heard stating that “Orion” had been developed at the institution’s Centre of Excellence.
The representative also explained that the robot could be deployed for surveillance and monitoring functions. Critics argued that this statement created the impression that the device was an indigenous innovation.
Following the backlash, Galgotias University issued a clarification stating that it had not claimed to have developed the robotic dog.
The university said the device had been purchased from Unitree Robotics for academic and experimental purposes, enabling students to study advanced robotics and understand the technological limitations of such systems.
Despite the clarification, critics on social media described the explanation as confusing and potentially misleading. Several users questioned whether the summit presentation had sufficiently distinguished between in-house development and imported technology.
The Greater Noida-based institution maintained that its objective was to expose students to cutting-edge global technologies sourced from countries including the United States, China, and Singapore.
“Innovation has no borders, and learning should not have boundaries,” the university said, adding that the aim was to inspire Indian students to eventually develop globally competitive solutions.
The political fallout was swift. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the AI Summit on X, calling it a “disorganised PR exercise.” The Congress party alleged that showcasing Chinese products at a high-profile technology event risked undermining India’s credibility.
The party also targeted Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, accusing him of promoting Chinese robotics at a national platform.
Unitree Robotics is known globally for developing agile quadruped robots that mimic animal movement and are used in sectors such as research, industrial inspection, and security.
As the debate continues, the incident has reignited discussions around transparency, indigenous innovation claims, and the optics of using foreign-made technology at national technology summits.
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