Table of Contents
India – February 19, 2026 — A major controversy erupted on the opening days of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after Galgotias University became embroiled in a credibility crisis for presenting a foreign-made robotic dog as its own innovation — a misstep that quickly went viral and drew widespread criticism from media, political leaders, and technology observers.
The incident unfolded when a communications faculty member at the Greater Noida–based university’s pavilion was interviewed by a state broadcaster about a robotic dog on display, named “Orion.” During the interaction, the professor suggested the device was developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence as part of its AI initiatives, which reportedly include a ₹350-crore investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Within hours of the broadcast, tech enthusiasts and social media users identified the robot as a Unitree Go2 quadruped robot — a commercially available Chinese-made AI platform widely used in research and education — rather than a domestically engineered invention.
Backlash and Fallout
The revelation sparked intense scrutiny online, with critics accusing the university of misrepresentation and miscommunication at a high-profile government-hosted technology summit meant to showcase genuine innovation. Summit organisers reportedly asked Galgotias University to vacate its exhibition space, leading to the pavilion being cleared and left empty by Wednesday afternoon.
Government officials, including IT Secretary S. Krishnan, underscored that exhibitors must not display items they have not themselves developed, reinforcing expectations for authenticity and transparency at national events.
Also Read https://thehourglassnews.com/tg-reraon-illegal-schemes-busted-in-hyderabad/
University Response
In the wake of the controversy, Galgotias University issued a public apology, attributing the fallout to “a misinformed representative” who was “not authorised to speak to the press” and lacked full knowledge of the product’s origin. The university reiterated that there was no institutional intent to mislead and emphasised that the robotic dog had been procured to provide students with hands-on AI learning experience.
Professor Neha Singh of Galgotias University, who appeared in the original broadcast, later clarified that the misunderstanding stemmed from unclear communication rather than deliberate misrepresentation. She stated that the university did not claim to have manufactured the robot but intended to use it as a teaching tool.
Political and Industry Reaction
The episode quickly drew political commentary, with opposition figures criticising the government’s handling of the summit and the reputational implications of showcasing imported technology as domestic advances. Analysts noted that the backlash highlights the challenges institutions face in balancing promotional narratives with factual transparency at high-stakes global events.
