New Delhi, Feb 19 (V7N) — An Indian university has sparked controversy at a major global AI conference after claiming a Chinese-made robot dog as its own invention. The incident occurred during an AI Summit currently underway in New Delhi, drawing sharp criticism online and prompting organizers to take action.

Claim and Backlash

According to reports, Galgotias University, based in Uttar Pradesh, presented a robot dog named “Orion” at its stall and described it as a product of the university’s Center of Excellence. In an interview with state broadcaster DD News, a faculty member repeated the claim, which quickly spread across social media.

Tech enthusiasts and netizens soon pointed out that the robot closely matched a commercially available model produced by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, triggering widespread criticism and debate over academic credibility.

Action by Organizers

Following the backlash, summit authorities reportedly disconnected electricity to the university’s booth and later issued an expulsion notice. The conference, featuring around a thousand exhibitors from more than a hundred countries, includes leading AI startups, technology firms, and research institutions.

University Response

University representatives initially denied wrongdoing, saying the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding. Professor Aishwarya Srivastava stated that the institution never claimed to have built the robot and only indicated involvement or investment.

However, after further scrutiny, the university released a formal apology, saying the professor who spoke publicly was not fully aware of the robot’s technical origin.

About the Robot

The robot dog at the center of the controversy is a widely used quadruped model developed by Unitree Robotics, commonly deployed in research and educational settings and sold commercially at a relatively accessible price point.

The episode has fueled broader discussion on transparency, attribution, and research ethics within the rapidly expanding global AI sector.

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