An Indian university’s attempt to showcase an imported quadruped robot as a domestic triumph has led to its eviction from a premier tech expo and sparked widespread criticism.
A high-profile artificial intelligence summit in India’s capital has been marred by a bizarre deception involving a robotic dog. Galgotias University, a private institution, triggered a national controversy after presenting a Chinese-made robot to the media as an in-house innovation named “Orion.”
The India AI Impact Summit, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase the nation’s technological prowess, quickly became a focal point for digital mockery. After netizens exposed the robot as a mass-produced Unitree Go2 model from China, the embarrassment spread to the highest levels of government. Critics highlighted that even IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had shared a video featuring the robot on his official X account before quietly deleting the post.
Strict Repercussions
Government organizers moved swiftly to contain the embarrassment. According to reports from BBC journalists on the ground, authorities ordered Galgotias University to vacate its pavilion immediately, underscoring the eviction by turning off the booth’s lighting.
IT Secretary S Krishnan addressed the media regarding the incident, stressing the need for a strict code of conduct among exhibitors.
What happened should not affect the way people present or exhibit their work at such events. The idea is not to use an opportunity like this to become something else or create unnecessary noise.
Meanwhile, the university continues to push back against the narrative. Representatives labeled the public backlash a “propaganda campaign,” insisting their only goal was to expose students to global tech tools. The professor responsible for the initial viral claim later stated her words had simply been misunderstood.
SOURCES: Ministry of Electronics and IT, DD News, BBC India.
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