Indian university criticised for passing Chinese robot.
Social media users identify robot as Unitree Go2, sold by China’s Unitree Robotics company.
Indian Prof’s Robot Dog Fiasco at AI Summit: Hype Meets Hard Reality
Oof, talk about a plot twist nobody saw coming. At the glitzy India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi – the same event where Modi dropped his MANAV Vision bombshell – a professor from Galgotias University thought she’d score big with a cute robot dog named Orion. Instead, it bit her back, hard. Social media sleuths called her bluff, exposing the pup as a off-the-shelf Chinese import. The backlash? Swift, savage, and now the university’s scrambling to save face.
It started innocently enough. Neha Singh, a communications prof, beams at the camera for state broadcaster DD News: “You need to meet Orion. This has been developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University.” The robot trots around, wagging its tail-like appendage, drawing oohs from passersby. Summit-goers lap it up – India’s homegrown AI pride on display! But eagle-eyed netizens weren’t buying it. Within hours, X (formerly Twitter) lit up: “That’s the Unitree Go2, folks – straight from China’s Unitree Robotics, $2,800 a pop. Used in labs worldwide.” Screenshots, spec sheets, price tags – the evidence piled up like a digital crime scene.
The timing couldn’t be worse. This unfolds days after PM Modi and Macron hype India’s AI leadership. Suddenly, whispers of “fake it till you make it” taint the narrative. Even worse: Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw – the guy steering India’s digital chariot – shares the clip on his official handle, cheering the “innovation.” Backlash explodes; he quietly deletes it. Awkward.
Galgotias fires back on X: “Let us be clear, Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed.” They pivot hard: “But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies.” Singh echoes, claiming no misrepresentation – just a demo tool. Fair enough? Maybe. But optics matter in tech’s hype machine. The stall stayed open Wednesday morning, officials dodging media jabs on plagiarism and fakery. Reuters quoted a rep: no eviction notice yet from organizers. Still, rumors swirl the uni might get the boot.
I’ve chased enough tech scandals to know this stings deep. India’s AI dreams are real – from Bengaluru coders to IIT whiz kids – but stumbles like this fuel skeptics. Remember the 2023 “Indian ChatGPT” hype that fizzled? Or ISRO’s triumphs overshadowed by copycat claims? It’s human nature: in the rush to rival China and the West, corners get cut. Singh’s gaffe? Probably enthusiasm outpacing reality. Unitree Go2 is legit – agile, affordable, perfect for education. Why not own it as a learning tool instead of passing it off?
Broader picture: This spotlights India’s AI growing pains. We’re pouring billions into chips, data centers, and startups via the IndiaAI Mission. Summits like this showcase that – 5G drones, health AI, agrotech. But credibility is currency. Faking demos erodes trust, scaring investors and allies. Macron’s praise for our “benchmark” governance? Now it rings hollow amid this mess.
Galgotias isn’t a villain here. Greater Noida-based, it’s churning out engineers amid India’s talent boom. Their CoE likely uses imported gear to train students – smart move. The real lesson? Transparency wins. Boom – hero status.
Vaishnaw’s delete? Politicians hate egg on their face, but it humanizes him. Modi’s vision thrives on authenticity – ethical AI, inclusivity. This hiccup? A teachable moment. Universities, dial back the hype. Focus on substance: publish papers, open-source code, collaborate.
Laughter aside, it’s a gut check. India’s AI ascent is unstoppable – 1.4 billion innovators can’t be wrong. But let’s build it right: honest, bold, unapologetic. Orion might be Chinese, but tomorrow’s pack leaders? Homegrown. Watch this space.