Galgotias University Vacates Stall At India AI Summit After China-Made Robot Dog Controversy

• Galgotias University staff vacate stall at India AI Impact Summit after robot controversy
• Viral videos questioned origin of robotic dog displayed at pavilion
• Professor issues clarification, says miscommunication led to confusion

Galgotias University staff were seen vacating their pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi after a controversy erupted over a robotic dog displayed at the stall. Eyewitnesses said the pavilion began to be cleared soon after questions were raised about the origin of the robot, drawing attention from visitors and media at the venue.

Stall Vacated After Questions Raised

According to sources and attendees, university officials started removing display items and leaving the stall after the controversy gained traction. When reporters approached representatives at the pavilion for clarification, they reportedly avoided questions and exited the area.

Sources also claimed that the power supply to the university's stall was switched off after it was asked to vacate the exhibition space. The incident unfolded during the ongoing summit at Bharat Mandapam, which has drawn global participation.

What triggered the controversy:

• Robot displayed as "Orion" at university stall
• Viral videos questioned its origin
• Machine identified as commercially available model
• Viral Videos Spark Row

The issue began after videos from the summit went viral on social media. In the clips, university representatives were seen presenting a robotic dog and describing it as a product linked to the institution's Centre of Excellence.

In another video, a professor was heard stating that the robot had been developed at the university. Soon after, social media users identified the machine as the Unitree Go2, a robotic dog manufactured by Chinese company Unitree Robotics and available commercially in India for around Rs 2-3 lakh.

This led to online criticism and allegations that an imported product was being presented as an in-house innovation.

Professor Issues Clarification

Following the backlash, Professor Neha Singh from the university responded, saying the situation arose due to lack of clear communication during the presentation. She stated that she takes responsibility for not explaining the context properly.

According to her, the robotic dog was showcased to expose students to advanced AI technologies and inspire innovation, not to claim that it had been developed by the university. She added that there was no intention to misrepresent the origin of the device.