Galgotias asked to vacate AI Summit expo after robodog controversy: Sources

Galgotias University has been directed to vacate the AI Summit Expo following rising controversy surrounding a robotic dog presented at the event in Delhi. Sources from the government confirm that the Greater Noida-based institution is under scrutiny after a viral video suggested it showcased a Chinese-manufactured robotic dog as an indigenous creation. The controversy ignited when a video emerged, featuring a university representative claiming that the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias had developed a robotic dog named 'Orion.' However, social media users quickly pointed out that the device closely resembled the Unitree Go2, an AI-powered robodog produced by the Chinese firm Unitree, with a price tag between ₹2–3 lakh. Accusations flooded in, alleging that the university was misrepresenting imported technology as a domestic innovation. In response, Galgotias University took to social media platform X to clarify its position, stating, "The recently acquired robodog from Unitree is one such step in that journey. It is not merely a machine on display; it is a classroom in motion. Our students are experimenting with it, testing its limits and, in the process, expanding their own knowledge. Let us be clear: Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we ever claimed to." However, this clarification was met with further skepticism. A community note on X fact-checked the university’s statement, labeling it as “incorrect and misleading.” The note pointed out that the university had indeed named the robot 'Orion' and explicitly stated it was developed by their team, prompting additional criticism and debate over the institution's representation of the technology during the summit. Defending its approach, Galgotias emphasized that innovation and education should transcend national boundaries. The university asserted its commitment to sourcing advanced technologies from around the globe to provide students with valuable hands-on experience. "Innovation knows no borders. Learning should not either," it stated, adding that its goal is to inspire students to think ambitiously and develop world-class solutions from India for a global audience.