Galgotias University Booted From AI Summit After Robot Dog Claim
Galgotias University was ordered to remove its stall after a professor presented a commercially sold Unitree Go2 robotic dog as the university's own at the India AI Impact Summit, sparking criticism and stall power being cut.
Overview
Galgotias University was ordered to take down its stand at the India AI Impact Summit, according to two government officials.
Professor Neha Singh told state-run broadcaster DD News that a robot called 'Orion' had been developed at the university's Centre of Excellence.
Online users identified the machine as the Unitree Go2, a commercially available robot sold for roughly $1,600 to $2,800, prompting widespread criticism.
Press Trust of India reported electricity supply to the stall was cut off, and a BBC reporter said the lights were turned off and no staff were present.
The India AI Impact Summit is a five-day event with delegates from more than 100 countries, at least 20 heads of state, and more than $100 billion in pledged investments.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the incident as a credibility crisis for India's AI ambitions, using loaded terms ('booted,' 'embarrassment') and highlighting anonymous officials and social-media identification to stress reputational harm. Quotes from the professor and university appear as source content, but editorial language and organization steer readers toward a narrative of institutional failure.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Galgotias University presented a robotic dog called 'Orion' at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with a professor claiming it was developed at the university's Centre of Excellence. However, social media users quickly identified the robot as the Unitree Go2, a commercially available Chinese-made robotic dog sold online in India for approximately Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh (roughly $1,600 to $2,800).
After the viral video exposed the robot, Galgotias University issued a statement denying it had built the device and clarifying that the robot had been procured from Unitree and was being used purely as a learning and educational tool for students, not presented as an original product developed by the university.
Galgotias University was asked to vacate its exhibition space at the India AI Impact Summit following the controversy. According to reports, power to the Galgotias stall was cut off, and staff were no longer present at the booth.
Galgotias University described the criticism as a 'propaganda campaign' that was politically or competitively motivated. The university emphasized that robotic programming is part of their effort to teach students AI programming and real-world skills using globally available tools and resources.[2]
Yes, Galgotias University is facing fresh scrutiny over claims that its faculty and students developed a 'soccer drone' entirely in-house, adding to concerns about the university's representations of its technological achievements.[2]
History
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