Chinese Robodog Row: Why Galgotias Is Under Fire

A controversy erupted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after a robotic dog displayed at a university stall was identified as a commercially available Chinese product.

According to government sources, Galgotias University was asked to vacate its booth at Bharat Mandapam after the robotic dog presented as “Orion” was recognised as the Unitree Go2, a model manufactured by Chinese robotics firm Unitree.

The summit, inaugurated by Narendra Modi, is positioned as a flagship event highlighting India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

What sparked the controversy?

Observers at the expo identified the robot as Unitree Go2, a quadruped robot available commercially in India at an estimated cost of ₹2–3 lakh.

Critics alleged that the robot appeared to be showcased as an in-house innovation developed by the university. This raised concerns about presenting imported hardware at a national event focused on domestic AI capabilities.

The issue quickly escalated into a wider debate over claims of indigenous innovation versus the use of globally available technology tools in education and research.

Presentation and public reaction

During a presentation, a university representative described “Orion” as being developed by the institution’s Centre of Excellence and highlighted the university’s investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Following the backlash, opposition leaders reacted sharply. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the summit as a “disorganised PR spectacle” in a post on X, questioning the showcasing of Chinese-made products at an event meant to promote Indian AI advancement.

The Congress party also criticised the government, alleging that the episode had damaged India’s image in the field of artificial intelligence.

University’s clarification

In response, Galgotias University issued statements clarifying that it had not manufactured the robotic dog and did not intend to claim authorship.

The university stated that the robot was introduced to students as a learning tool to help them understand AI programming and robotics using globally available technologies. It emphasised that exposure to international tools is part of preparing students to develop future innovations within India.

A faculty member representing the university acknowledged that the communication during the presentation may not have been clear and accepted responsibility for any misunderstanding. She reiterated that the institution’s goal was to inspire students to build improved versions of such technologies in the future.

Larger debate

The incident has sparked broader discussions about how educational institutions present innovation at national platforms.

While some argue that using global tools for research and training is standard practice, others maintain that clarity is essential when showcasing products at events dedicated to promoting domestic technological progress.

The controversy temporarily overshadowed the summit’s focus on India’s AI roadmap and partnerships, as debates continued online and in political circles.