Galgotias University Thrown Out of AI Summit After Robot Dog Row

Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after it showcased a robotic dog that was later identified as an imported Chinese product. Soon after, another claim about a soccer drone built “from scratch” by the university also came under online questioning. The back to back controversies have sparked a major debate.

What Happened at the AI Summit?

The incident took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The event is a major platform meant to highlight Indian innovation in artificial intelligence.

At its stall, Galgotias University displayed a four legged robotic dog and called it “Orion.” During a media interaction, a professor said the robot was developed at the university’s Centre of Excellence. The machine was even shown on Doordarshan.

But within hours, people on social media identified the robot as the Unitree Go2. This is a commercially available robotic dog made by Chinese company Unitree Robotics. It is sold in India for around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.

Questions started pouring in. Was the robot really built on campus?

Why Was the Stall Removed?

According to government sources, summit organisers asked the university to vacate the expo area after the controversy grew. The robot was reportedly presented as an in house innovation, which raised concerns since it was an imported product.

Soon, power supply to the stall was also cut, as per reports. The clips aired earlier were taken down online.

The matter escalated fast. What began as a showcase turned into a national talking point.

University’s Response Explained

Galgotias University later responded on X. It said the robotic dog was purchased from Unitree and used as a learning tool for students. The university insisted it never claimed to have built the device.

It also stated that the campus brings in advanced technologies from countries like the US and China for academic purposes.

Still, critics argued that the presentation at the summit created confusion.

Another Claim Faces Questions

On the same day, another video began circulating online. In it, a university staff member claimed that students and faculty had built a soccer drone from end to end engineering. The video mentioned India’s first soccer arena on campus.

Social media users quickly pointed out that the drone looked like the Striker V3 ARF. This model is developed by South Korea’s Helsel Group and is available in the Indian market for about Rs 40,000.

Users alleged that the drone too was not an original campus creation.

The timing made things worse. Two claims being questioned on the same day added fuel to the fire.

Political Reactions Add Heat

Opposition leaders reacted strongly. Some accused the government of allowing imported technology to be displayed as Indian innovation at a flagship AI event.

Statements were posted online calling the episode embarrassing. The debate soon shifted from one university to a wider conversation about India’s image in the AI space.

Why This Matters

The India AI Impact Summit is meant to showcase domestic talent and home grown innovation. When doubts arise about the originality of displayed products, credibility takes a hit.

At the same time, many institutions do import advanced tools for research and teaching. That is common practice. The key issue here was how the products were presented.

For now, Galgotias University finds itself in the middle of a digital storm. Whether this controversy fades quickly or leaves a lasting mark depends on how clearly the facts settle in the coming days.