Galgotias University was expelled from the prestigious AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi this Wednesday. The university faced immediate removal for presenting a robotic dog, ‘Orion,’ which was later identified as a commercially available Chinese product, the Unitree Go2, as its own innovation. This incident has raised serious questions about the authenticity of ‘Made in India’ claims at major national events, casting a shadow over the summit’s achievements.
📰: Galgotias University Ordered to Vacate AI Summit Stall After Fake ‘Orion’ Robot Exposed।
Why Was Galgotias University Asked to Leave?
The controversy first surfaced on Tuesday, February 17, and quickly intensified on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The official rules for exhibitors at the AI Impact Summit 2026 clearly state that displaying items not of their original work or misleading the public and the ministry about technology origins are strictly prohibited. IT Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed the government’s firm stance, stating that such exhibits are not permitted to continue. Witnesses reported that power to the university’s pavilion was cut shortly after the expulsion order was issued.
Who Was Involved in the Robot Controversy?
Professor Neha Singh, Head of Communications at Galgotias University, found herself at the center of this controversy. She appeared in a viral video, claiming the ‘Orion’ robot was developed by the university’s ‘Centre of Excellence.’ Following widespread backlash, Professor Singh updated her LinkedIn profile status to ‘Open to Work.’ The university later issued a formal apology, attributing the claims to an ‘ill-informed’ representative and stating they never claimed to build the robot, but rather used it as an educational tool. Abhishek Singh, CEO of India AI Mission, emphasized the core issue, stating, “The main problem is they claimed to be something they are not. They misled. The whole world is here.”
What Was the Wider Impact of This Incident?
The incident rapidly gained traction across social media platforms, leading to widespread memes and criticism focusing on ‘academic plagiarism.’ This controversy unfortunately overshadowed other significant milestones at the summit, including substantial AI investment pledges and high-profile attendance by industry leaders. Furthermore, scrutiny extended to another exhibit, a ‘soccer drone’ displayed by the university, which was also identified as a commercially available Striker V3 ARF drone, not an in-house innovation. The Unitree Go2 robot, central to the dispute, is priced between ₹2 lakh and ₹3 lakh.
