'We haven't received any directive yet': Galgotias University on reports of being asked to vacate AI Summit

In a recent statement, Galgotias University addressed the swirling controversy regarding its participation in the AI Summit Expo, affirming that it has not received any orders to vacate its stall. Professor Dr. Aishwarya clarified during an interview with PTI, "No, we have not received any directive yet to vacate the expo area. In fact, we are prepared to address what occurred yesterday." The situation escalated following a viral video where a representative from the university claimed that they had developed a robotic dog named "Orion." This claim led to a backlash when social media users pointed out that the device closely resembled the Unitree Go2, a robotic dog manufactured by the Chinese company Unitree, which is available for purchase online at a price between Rs 2–3 lakh. Many users accused the university of misrepresenting imported technology as an indigenous innovation. In response to these allegations, Professor Aishwarya emphasized that the claims were misinterpreted and stated, "We have never claimed that we manufacture or design these products. Our university is investing Rs 350 crore in AI, and we are bringing various technologies onto campus for our students to explore and conduct research. This was misinterpreted." The professor further elaborated on the university's mission, stating, "We are not a manufacturing unit. Our goal is to enable our students to engage in research and development. The robodog is part of this educational initiative, not a product of our own creation." Galgotias University also took to social media to clarify its position, reaffirming that the robotic dog is part of their educational resources. "The recently acquired robodog from Unitree is not just a display item; it serves as a dynamic classroom tool for our students to experiment and learn. Let us be clear: Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we ever claimed to," they stated in their post on X.