Galgotias University's 'Orion robot' showcased at Delhi AI Impact Summit is a Chinese-made robodog available online

Facing mounting criticism online, Galgotias University has issued a clarification after accusations surfaced that it showcased a Chinese-made robotic dog as an indigenous innovation at the recent India AI Impact Summit in Delhi.

The backlash began when a video from the event went viral, showing the Delhi-based university representative describing a robot named “Orion”. Online commentators quickly pointed out that the machine closely resembled the Go2 model produced by Unitree, which is available to purchase for around Rs 2–3 lakh. Many users accused the university of rebranding imported tech as a homegrown creation.

In a statement posted on X, the university insisted it had never claimed to have built the robotic dog. It said the device had been procured from the Chinese firm and was being used as an instructional tool to help students explore robotics and artificial intelligence.

“The recently acquired robodog from Unitree is part of our commitment to providing students with the best learning resources. It is a means for experimentation, not a showcase of our own engineering. At no point have we stated otherwise,” the statement said. The university described the robot as “a classroom in motion”, designed to help students test boundaries and expand their understanding of emerging technologies.

However, the clarification was soon challenged. An X Community Note attached to the post claimed the university’s assertion was misleading, stating that the institution had indeed presented the robot as its own by naming it “Orion” and referring to it as developed by its team during the summit.

The controversy was fuelled by the viral video in which a woman, introduced as part of the university’s Centre of Excellence, explained the robot’s features and claimed that “Orion” had been developed internally. Critics argued that this amounted to misrepresenting imported hardware as indigenous work.

Addressing the criticism, the university said its broader mission was to keep students ahead of global technological trends. It added that it regularly sources advanced tools from innovation hubs across the United States, China, and Singapore to ensure students gain real-world exposure.

“Innovation knows no borders, and learning should not either,” the university noted, emphasising that its aim is to encourage students to understand cutting-edge technology, question it, and find ways to improve it.

The institution maintained that its effort is not about importing devices for display but about nurturing future innovators capable of building world-class solutions from India for global use.