A viral robodog video from Galgotias University caused backlash after claims it was built in India, forcing clarification that the robot was Chinese-made and used only for student learning
A viral video from the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has put Galgotias University under ruthless scrutiny after a robotic dog displayed at its pavilion, which they claimed was their indigenous innovation, turned out to be a China-made robo bought off the internet.
The video showed a university professor presenting the robodog, named “Orion,” and suggesting it was developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence.
The professor also spoke about the institution’s investment in artificial intelligence, saying: “We are the first private university investing more than Rs 350 crore in artificial intelligence (AI), and we have a dedicated data science and AI block on campus.”
She added that the robodog was capable of surveillance and monitoring tasks while moving autonomously around campus, reinforcing the impression that the technology had been developed in-house.
Galgotias University is under fire for displaying a commercial Chinese robodog as part of its own development at the AI Summit. But this is nothing compared to the ‘procession’ that students of this University took out against the Opposition Party. Inspired by the BJP they… pic.twitter.com/0bexoMTImc
— The DeshBhakt 🇮🇳 (@TheDeshBhakt) February 18, 2026
But it didn’t take long for online sleuths to question those claims.
University issues clarification
Amid mounting criticism, Galgotias University issued a clarification, stating that the robot was not developed by them.
“Let us be clear — Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed. But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies right here in Bharat,” the university said in a statement.
The institution explained that the robodog was acquired from Unitree Robotics and is being used as a teaching tool rather than presented as an original invention.
“The recently acquired Robodog from Unitree is one such step in that journey. It is not merely a machine on display — it is a classroom in motion. Our students are experimenting with it, testing its limits, and in the process, expanding their own knowledge,” the university said.
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Despite the clarification, the controversy refused to die down, with social media users accusing the university of misleading viewers.
“Have some shame, in this video ur Professor is clearly saying that it’s developed by Galgotias University (sic),” one user wrote on X.
Another said: “Either you are illiterate yourself or you are trying pulloff a fraud. Your representative very clearly said that ORION has been developed at the centre of excellence at Galgotias university. Who are you trying to hoodwink with this statement? (sic).”
As someone who started off working as a Software Engineer with @Infosys more than 2 decades back, I know first hand how much ahead we were (even are) compared to China at least in IT/Tech sector.
Now for Galgotia to so such a thing and bring China into focus when such an… https://t.co/ZzAK1wDUV0
— Deepender Singh Hooda (@DeependerSHooda) February 17, 2026
Others also criticised the optics of showcasing a Chinese-made robot at a summit meant to highlight India’s AI ambitions.
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