An Indian university is under heavy criticism after a robot dog shown at a major AI event in Delhi sparked controversy. The issue began when a professor from Galgotias University appeared to suggest that the university had developed the robotic dog displayed at its stall. The machine was presented during the robodog controversy at India AI Impact Summit, which quickly gained attention online and raised questions about the university’s claims.
The situation escalated after the professor told state broadcaster Doordarshan that the robot, named “Orion,” was created at the university’s Centre of Excellence. However, social media users soon pointed out that the robot looked identical to the Go2 model produced by Unitree Robotics. Many accused the university of presenting a commercially available product as its own innovation.
As the video spread widely, criticism intensified. Reports claimed that organizers of the India AI Impact Summit asked the university to remove its stall. Although faculty members said they did not receive any formal notice, journalists at the venue observed that power to the booth was cut and the display area went dark shortly afterward.
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In response, the university denied claiming that it had built the robot from scratch. Officials said their students were using globally available technology to learn artificial intelligence programming. Professor Neha Singh clarified that her remarks may have been misunderstood. Meanwhile, India’s IT Secretary S. Krishnan urged the public not to let the dispute distract from the larger goals of the summit.
The summit itself was inaugurated by Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam and attracted delegates from more than 100 countries, including tech leaders such as Sundar Pichai. While there were early complaints about overcrowding, participation remained strong. However, the robodog controversy at India AI Impact Summit continues to draw attention and has become a major talking point at the high-profile event.
