A row erupted at the India AI Impact Summit when a viral video showed Galgotias University staff presenting a Chinese-made Unitree Go2 robodog, dubbed “Orion,” as a homegrown innovation, sparking misrepresentation claims and forcing the Greater Noida institution to vacate its stall.
Professor Neha Singh introduced the robot during the expo as a university project, igniting online backlash. The video quickly spread online, prompting criticism and raising questions about whether the Greater Noida-based institution had claimed the imported robot as its own creation. Amid the outrage, authorities reportedly asked the university to vacate its stall at the Summit.
Following the backlash, Galgotias University staff and officials vacated their exhibition space on Wednesday. According to sources, authorities directed the institution to leave the expo premises, ANI reported.
#WATCH | Delhi | Galgotias University staff and officials vacate their stall at India AI Impact Summit expo, following row over display of Chinese-made robodog.
As per sources, the govt had asked Galgotias University to vacate the stall at the expo. pic.twitter.com/cqN5vBcgcN
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2026
Galgotias University blames “develop” vs “development” confusion
Responding to the controversy, Galgotias University Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur said the issue stemmed from confusion over the words “develop” and “development,” stressing that the university had not built the robot but had used it for academic purposes.
“This is a jumble of two words, develop and development. We didn’t develop it. We worked on its development… We want to bring them, just like that robot was brought, and an effort was made to get students to do research on it,” Gaur told ANI.
#WATCH | Noida, UP: On Galgotias University asked to vacate India AI Impact Summit expo, Nitin Kumar Gaur, Galgotias University Registrar says, “This is a jumble of two words, develop, and development. We didn’t develop it. We worked on its development… We want to bring them,… pic.twitter.com/tkuQhxNUUc
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2026
Professor Neha Singh reacts
Addressing the viral video in which Professor Neha Singh introduced the RoboDog as “Orion,” Gaur said she may have misspoken during the presentation. He reiterated that the robot had been purchased to support student research initiatives.
“I can say that perhaps she (Professor Neha) might have been confused by the words “develop” and “development” in the flow. But the truth is that we bought this robot for children’s research… If China is making the claim, then maybe it (robodog) could be bought from China,” ANI quoted Gaur as saying.
Meanwhile, Professor Neha Singh, who appeared in the viral clip explaining the RoboDog at the AI expo, maintained that she had never claimed the robot to be an original invention of the university.
“We have never claimed that it is ours, Indian, or Galgotian. Its main branding is still on it. The robot that had come for a particular task has gone there for the children’s study, for the children’s research and development. Our center, our campus — it has gone into the children’s lab. It was here for two days for projection; the projection has been completed,” Professor Neha Singh told ANI.
Addressing the row triggered by the viral video, Professor Neha said the situation escalated due to misinterpretation.
“By one misinterpretation, the internet has gone by storm. It might be that I could not convey well what I wanted to say, or it was misunderstood. I am a faculty member in communications at the School of Management, not in AI. Only you (the media) have heard what the government has said. As far as I know, we are here at the expo. As a university, we are standing tall. The robot was brought here only for projection,” Professor Neha Singh told reporters.
#WATCH | Delhi | On row over Galgotias University’s display of a Chinese-made robot dog at AI Impact Summit, the university’s communications professor, Neha, says,”By one misinterpretation, the internet has gone by storm. It might be that I could not convey well what I had wanted… pic.twitter.com/U6dqbBKLXO
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2026
University issues official clarification
The university faced sharp criticism both online and offline after the robot, allegedly manufactured by a Chinese company, was displayed at its stall. As the controversy intensified, the institution issued an official clarification and apologised profusely for the confusion created at the recent AI Summit.
The university said an unauthorised representative at the pavilion, unaware of the product’s technical origins, gave incorrect information on camera.
“We at Galgotias University wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press… Understanding the organisers sentiment we have vacated the premises,” the University said in a statement.
Galgotias University issues a press statement following the row over the display of a Chinese-made robodog at the AI Impact Summit expo
“We at Galgotias University, wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives, manning… pic.twitter.com/R0n3Ea1uhm
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2026
What is the India AI Impact Summit?
The India AI Impact Summit is a five-day programme structured around three core pillars, or “Sutras” of People, Planet, and Progress. The event brings together policymakers, technology firms, innovators, academic institutions, and industry leaders, aiming to translate global AI discussions into actionable development outcomes under the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India initiative.
