-Friday World | 18th Feb 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi was meant to showcase India's AI prowess and innovation ecosystem, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event and global tech leaders in attendance. However, Day 2 brought a major embarrassment when Galgotias University from Greater Noida faced backlash over a robotic dog named 'Orion' displayed at their stall. Accusations flew that the university presented a commercially available Chinese robot as homegrown innovation. The outcome? Organizers ordered the university to vacate the stall immediately, lights were switched off, professors and staff were asked to leave, and the controversial robot was removed. This incident became a stark example of zero tolerance for misleading claims in the name of 'Make in India'. Let's break down the full story.
How the Controversy Began: 'Orion' Robotic Dog Video Goes Viral
At the summit expo, Galgotias University set up a stall highlighting its AI initiatives. Assistant Professor Neha Singh gave an interview to DD News, proudly presenting the robotic dog 'Orion' as a product developed by the university's Centre of Excellence. She explained its applications in campus patrolling, surveillance, and more. The university also claimed ₹350 crore investment in its AI ecosystem.
Soon after, social media users spotted the truth in the viral video: the robot was unmistakably the **Unitree Go2**, a ready-made commercial product from China's Unitree Robotics company. In India, it is easily available online for ₹2–3 lakh. It is not a novel indigenous invention but a standard off-the-shelf robot widely used for research and educational purposes.
University's Defense and Government's Swift Action
Once the video spread, Galgotias University issued a clarification: "We never claimed to have manufactured the robot. It was purchased and is being used to provide hands-on experience to students." Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur called it a "communication error" and alleged a "propaganda campaign" aimed at damaging student morale.
However, with the controversy escalating, the government acted decisively. According to two senior officials, the university was instructed to immediately vacate the stall. Lights were turned off, professors and staff were removed from the premises, and the robotic dog was taken away.
Minister & Secretary's Statement: Zero Tolerance for Misleading Claims
In a press conference, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) S. Krishnan stated clearly: "If any company or institution makes misleading claims, it will not be given space in the expo." He emphasized that such controversies should not overshadow the summit's objectives. MeitY Additional Secretary Abhishek Singh added: "They were claiming something they are not."
The decision was aimed at protecting the credibility of 'Make in India' and India's National AI Mission. The summit's goal was to highlight genuine Indian AI capabilities—not to rebrand imported products as indigenous.
Social Media & Media Reaction
Hashtags like #GalgotiasRoboDog and #FakeInnovation trended across X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. Netizens commented: "Bought from China, renamed 'Orion', and marketed as desi innovation—how embarrassing!" Many also questioned the university's ₹350 crore AI investment claim. Leading media outlets (NDTV, Times of India, Hindustan Times, India Today, Economic Times) described it as an "embarrassment" and a "humiliating episode" for the institution.
University's Final Stand and the Key Lesson
→ Galgotias maintained that the robot was merely a learning tool for students and described themselves as a "standing institution." With the stall cleared, the controversy gradually subsided. In response to overwhelming public interest, the summit was extended until February 21.
Transparency is Non-Negotiable in Innovation
This episode serves as a powerful reminder: in the AI and tech sectors, claims carry huge weight. Misleading statements don't just damage one university's reputation—they raise doubts about the entire national innovation ecosystem. The government's zero-tolerance policy is crystal clear: misleading claims will not be tolerated.
For Galgotias University, the lesson is straightforward: showcase real innovation, not rebranded imported products. For the summit and India's AI journey, it reinforces a strong message—India is serious about AI and prioritizes genuine impact over fake claims.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World | 18th Feb 2026
