The India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi was meant to spotlight India’s push for technological self-reliance. Instead, it turned into an unexpected controversy with Galgotias University at the center of a growing storm.
What began as a confident display of a “₹350-crore AI ecosystem” soon spiraled into a public relations crisis, eventually leading to the university being asked to leave the summit.
The Spark: “Orion” and the Viral Video
The issue began when a video featuring Professor Neha Singh, a communications faculty member at Galgotias University, started making the rounds on social media.
In the clip, Singh introduced a sleek, four-legged robotic dog named “Orion.” She described it as a creation of the university’s Centre of Excellence and highlighted its potential use cases, including campus surveillance and monitoring.
The presentation positioned Orion as an example of homegrown AI innovation, aligning neatly with the summit’s focus on “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant) technology.
The Exposure: A Rebranded Global Product?
However, the claims quickly drew attention from the online tech community — and the reaction was swift.
Within hours, users on X (formerly Twitter) and robotics enthusiasts began identifying “Orion” as a Unitree Go2, a robotic dog already available in the global market.
The device is manufactured by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese robotics company.
The Price Tag:
While Galgotias University highlighted its large-scale AI investments, the Unitree Go2 reportedly retails for around $1,600 (₹1.3 to ₹3 lakh).
The Evidence:
Observers pointed to Orion’s hardware design and sensor placement, noting striking similarities with the Chinese model. Some alleged that the robot had simply been renamed or rebranded for the exhibition.
The Fallout: Stall Vacated, Lights Out
As criticism mounted, authorities acted quickly.
The Eviction:
Government sources confirmed that Galgotias University was instructed to vacate its stall at the summit.
The Power Cut:
Soon after the order, reports suggested that the power supply to the university’s pavilion was cut — a dramatic development that further fueled the buzz online.
Official Stance:
IT Secretary S. Krishnan made it clear that the government would not support “inauthentic behavior” or “plagiarism.” He emphasized that such incidents should not distract from genuine Indian innovations showcased at the summit.
The Defense: From Pushback to Apology
Galgotias University’s response evolved as the controversy deepened.
Initial Reaction:
The university initially dismissed the criticism, calling it a “propaganda campaign.”
The ‘Learning Tool’ Explanation:
In a later statement, the university clarified that it never claimed to have built the robot. Instead, it described Orion as a commercially purchased device intended to serve as a “classroom in motion” to inspire students.
The Scapegoat Claim:
In a follow-up apology, the university attributed the confusion to Professor Neha Singh. She was described as “ill-informed” and “not authorized to speak to the press.” The statement suggested that her “enthusiasm for being on camera” resulted in factually incorrect claims.
