Galgotias University’s robodog controversy at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has created an uproar across the country. On one hand, the university says that it never described the robot ‘Orion’ as its innovation, it had just purchased it for the students’ research. On the other hand, the government called it ‘misinformation’ and ‘national embarrassment’ and ordered to vacate the stalls.
Government breaks silence on Chinese robots
IT Secretary S. on this entire matter. Krishnan clearly said, ‘Exhibitors should not show items that do not belong to them.’ The government called it misinformation and said that only genuine and original work should get a place in the summit. On February 18, electricity to the stall was cut off and the university was ordered to vacate the expo immediately. Government sources called it ‘national embarrassment’.
Krishnan further said that the university vacated the stall, but Gaur said that he had not received any official communication. Our intention is not to use this as an opportunity in any other way. We do not want any controversy regarding the things displayed here.
Our aim is not to suppress innovation: Krishnan
Krishnan was asked whether the officials do not first check the development of the models to be displayed? So he said that the summit is not a certification platform. This is an exhibition. Because of this, there are no items that are for sale or that need to be certified. Certification happens only when something is for public distribution or sale.
Krishnan said, ‘When someone is demonstrating a product, you assume that he has complete knowledge of that subject. If even the items on display have to be certified, people will say that we are stifling innovation. Our intention is not to stifle innovation.
What did the university say while issuing its apology?
Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur said that Professor Neha got confused by the words ‘develop’ and ‘development’. He told, ‘We did not develop the robot, but worked on its development. It was purchased for students’ research and learning. The university issued a statement apologizing and saying there was no institutional intention to misrepresent. Professor Neha also said that her words were ‘misinterpreted’.
What is the political uproar on this matter?
As soon as the video of the Chinese robotic dog went viral on social media, a stir started in the political circles. Rahul Gandhi posted on X and called the summit a ‘disorganized PR spectacle’ and wrote that ‘instead of using Indian talent and data, Chinese products are being shown.’ Whereas CPI(M) MP John Brittas accused BJP leaders that Galgotias has got the protection of BJP. Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) called it ‘shameful’ and demanded strict punishment. TMC’s Saket Gokhale questioned IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav whether this fraud happened with his knowledge?
After all, how did the robotic dog controversy start?
17 February 2026 was the second day of the summit. A quadruped robot was kept at the expo stall of Galgotias University, whose name was said to be ‘Orion’. Professor Neha Singh (Communications Department Head) while giving an interview to DD News said that this robot has been ‘developed’ in the Center of Excellence of the University.
When the video went viral on social media, users immediately realized that this robot is the Go2 model of Chinese company Unitree Robotics, which is commercially available and is priced between Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh. People started accusing it of passing off Chinese products as its own in the ‘Make in India’ themed summit.
The summit is still going on, but this incident is raising questions on the image of ‘Make in India’ and AI innovation. The university says the robot was a research tool, not an innovation claim. But memes and trolling continue on social media. Was it just a misunderstanding or a bigger lesson?