Galgotias University has issued a public apology following controversy surrounding its participation at the ongoing AI Summit, where it was accused of presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog as an in-house innovation. In its third clarification issued within two days, the Greater Noida-based institution attributed the confusion to misinformation allegedly provided by an unauthorised staff member and reiterated its commitment to transparency and accurate representation. The university also confirmed that it has vacated the event premises amid the ongoing dispute.
In its latest statement, the university said the controversy arose after its Head of the Communications Department, Neha Singh, allegedly provided incorrect information to the media despite not being authorised to speak on behalf of the institution. According to the university, Singh was “ill-informed” about the technical origins of the device and, in what it described as enthusiasm during media interaction, shared factually inaccurate details while appearing on camera.
In a press release dated February 18, Galgotias University expressed regret over the situation, stating that the confusion created at the AI Summit stemmed from misinformation given by a representative managing the pavilion. The institution emphasised that the individual concerned was unaware of the product’s origins and had spoken to journalists without official authorisation, leading to misunderstandings regarding the robotic dog’s development.
The controversy gained momentum after a video circulated widely on social media showing a university representative allegedly presenting the robotic dog — identified as the Unitree Go2, an AI-powered quadruped robot manufactured by Chinese robotics company Unitree — under the name “Orion.” The device, which is commercially available online for approximately USD 2,800 (around Rs 2.3 lakh), was reportedly perceived by viewers as being showcased as an indigenously developed product. The viral clip triggered strong criticism online, with many users questioning academic integrity, institutional accountability, and transparency in research claims.
Earlier, the university had issued a statement on social media clarifying that the robotic dog had been legitimately purchased from Unitree and was being used solely as an educational and experimental tool for students. The institution maintained that the device served as a practical learning platform through which students could experiment with robotics technologies and expand their technical understanding. It further asserted that it had never claimed to have designed or built the robot itself.
Amid the escalating backlash, government sources indicated that the university had been asked to withdraw from the AI Summit following the controversy. However, Galgotias University denied receiving any formal directive from authorities, stating instead that it chose to vacate the venue voluntarily in consideration of the organisers’ sentiments and the circumstances surrounding the issue.
The clarification itself became the subject of further scrutiny after a community note on X challenged the university’s claims, alleging that the robot had been renamed “Orion” and explicitly presented as a product developed by the institution’s team. The note described the university’s position as inaccurate and potentially misleading, adding another layer to the ongoing online debate.
Despite continued criticism, Galgotias University has maintained that there was no deliberate institutional attempt to misrepresent the innovation. The university reiterated that it remains committed to upholding academic integrity, transparency, and responsible communication regarding its research activities and technological demonstrations, even as discussions surrounding the incident continue across social media platforms.
