‘To appear on camera…’ Galgotias University clarifies on robodog controversy, blames professor

New Delhi: Greater Noida’s Galgotias University robodog controversy is once again in the headlines. After creating controversy by showing a robotic dog of a Chinese company at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the university has now issued a new clarification. In the press release issued on February 18, the university apologized and put the responsibility on its representative Professor Neha Singh.

beginning of controversy

A robotic dog named ‘Orion’ was shown at the university’s pavilion at the summit. Professor Neha Singh in the video described it as developed at the University’s Center of Excellence, but social media users immediately recognized that it is the Go2 model of China’s Unitary Robotics, which is available for around Rs 2-3 lakh. Due to this, the university was accused of adopting a foreign product as its own and received heavy criticism.

University’s new cleanliness

The university said in its latest statement that the representative present at the pavilion was not fully aware of the true origin of the product. In his excitement to be on camera, he made a factually incorrect statement. The university clarified that he was not even allowed to talk to the media. It is written in the statement, "We apologize deeply. Our representative did not have enough information and in her enthusiasm gave wrong information."

The university had earlier also clarified that the robot was never said to be of its own making. It has been purchased from Unitri and is being used as a teaching tool for students. Students are learning new technology by observing, experimenting and improving it.

University’s stand on being left out of the summit

According to government sources, after the dispute, the university was asked to vacate the stall and electricity was cut, but the university said that they did not receive any official instructions. Respecting the sentiments of the organisers, he himself vacated the pavilion.

Blame on Professor Neha Singh

The university blamed this entire matter on Professor Neha Singh. It was said that he was not aware of the technical origin of the product and made a false statement in excitement on camera. Earlier, Neha Singh had also said that she could not say things clearly in excitement. This controversy is raising questions about the image of indigenous innovation in India’s AI sector. The university has apologized, but the discussion continues on social media.