Galgotias University Removed from AI Impact Summit Amid Chinese Robodog Row

Galgotias University, a Greater Noida-based institution participating in the summit’s expo segment, was asked to vacate its exhibition space following controversy over a robotic dog displayed at its booth, according to government sources cited on Wednesday.

The controversy comes at a moment when India’s artificial intelligence ambitions are intertwined with broader themes of self-reliance and strategic autonomy. At a summit framed around domestic capability and global leadership, the optics of showcasing a Chinese-manufactured device — particularly if ambiguously presented — carried political and symbolic weight.

What began as a routine technology showcase at the India AI Impact Summit quickly escalated into a controversy over authenticity and representation. Galgotias University was reportedly asked to vacate its exhibition space after criticism erupted over a robotic dog displayed at its booth during the event at Bharat Mandapam.

The quadruped robot, presented under the name “Orion,” was later identified online as the Go2 model manufactured by China-based Unitree Robotics. Social media users alleged that the device had been introduced in a manner implying indigenous development, sparking backlash at a summit positioned as a platform for India’s AI leadership.

Galgotias University clarified that the robot had been procured for academic and research purposes and stated it had never claimed to have developed the device in-house. However, government sources indicated that organisers had asked the institution to leave the expo venue amid concerns that the controversy was distracting from the summit’s broader objectives. The university, in turn, said it had not received any formal directive ordering its removal.

The episode unfolded rapidly online, with viral videos and community fact-checks intensifying scrutiny. In a geopolitical climate where innovation narratives intersect with national branding and strategic autonomy, attribution carries heightened sensitivity.

What was meant to be a demonstration of emerging robotics technology has instead triggered a wider debate about transparency, optics and how innovation is represented on the global stage.