Galgotias University was ordered to vacate the India AI Impact Summit Wednesday following a major “rebranding” scandal. The Noida-based institution allegedly presented a mass-produced Chinese robot as its own indigenous innovation.
The controversy erupted after a video showed Professor Neha Singh describing a robotic dog named “Orion.” She claimed the device was developed under the university’s ₹350 crore AI initiative. However, eagle-eyed tech observers quickly identified the machine as a Unitree Go2, a Chinese product available online for roughly ₹2.3 lakh ($2,800).
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The “Orion” Rebranding Scandal
The university’s stall in Hall 6 was initially a major attraction on Tuesday. Professor Singh told reporters that “Orion” was capable of autonomous surveillance across the campus. Thus, the display was framed as a breakthrough for the university’s Centre of Excellence.
Meanwhile, social media users pointed out that the university had simply renamed a retail product. By Wednesday morning, the crowd at the stall had vanished. Government sources confirmed that organizers requested the university to leave to avoid further “overshadowing” the summit’s core goals.
Backlash and Government Response
The “robodog row” quickly became a political flashpoint. Opposition leaders criticized the government for allowing “Chinese products” to take center stage at a summit focused on Indian self-reliance. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda called the episode “unpardonable” for an event of this scale.
Next, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reportedly deleted an earlier post that featured the robotic dog. While the university claimed it never “officially” took credit for the build, the viral footage suggests otherwise. In fact, a China-linked X account even mocked the university for passing off the Unitree Go2 as a homegrown achievement.
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The X Community Note Fact-Check
Galgotias University issued a defensive statement late Tuesday. They asserted that the robot was merely a “teaching tool” for students to “test limits.” “Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we claimed,” the university stated on X.
Still, an X Community Note challenged this clarification within hours. The note labeled the university’s denial as “incorrect and misleading.” It cited the summit presentation where the robot was explicitly branded “Orion” and described as an in-house project. Therefore, the university faced double the embarrassment as its own defense was publicly debunked.
Reality Check
The university calls the robot a “classroom in motion” for its AI students. Still, rebranding a ₹2.3 lakh retail toy as a “₹350 crore initiative” flagship is a massive breach of academic ethics. Therefore, the “teaching tool” argument feels like a post-backlash damage control strategy. In fact, the university’s press release originally listed “Orion” as a key demonstration of its “applied robotics” integration.
The Loopholes
The university claims they haven’t received an “official order” to vacate. In fact, while sources say they were “asked” to leave, the university’s faculty remained present as of Wednesday noon. This suggests a gray area where “informal pressure” is being applied to avoid a public scene. Still, the government’s silence on the vetting process for exhibitors remains a major loophole in the summit’s security protocol.
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What This Means for You
If you are a student or researcher, realize that transparency is non-negotiable in the age of viral fact-checking. First, always disclose the source of third-party hardware when showcasing integrated software. Then, verify the authenticity of “indigenous” claims before endorsing them on social media.
Finally, expect stricter vetting for all academic exhibitors at future tech summits. This fiasco has likely triggered a review of the “National Project” status for several private university initiatives. Before attending the final day of the summit, check the revised exhibitor list to see if the Hall 6 stall has been officially shuttered.
What’s Next
The India AI Impact Summit will conclude its public expo on February 19, 2026. Then, Galgotias University is expected to undergo an internal review of its AI Centre of Excellence. Finally, the Ministry of Education may issue new guidelines for “Indigenous Tech” labels at international trade fairs by late March.
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