An Indian professor sparked controversy after wrongly suggesting a Chinese-made robot dog showcased at an AI summit in New Delhi was developed by her university, drawing criticism from politicians and social media users. The robot, displayed at a booth by Galgotias University, was later identified as a commercial model produced by Chinese startup Unitree.
During a televised interview, the professor introduced the mechanical dog, nicknamed “Orion,” and claimed it had been developed at the university’s centres of excellence. The robot performed basic tricks, including waving and standing upright, while the professor highlighted the institution’s investment in artificial intelligence. However, the remarks quickly triggered online backlash after viewers identified the machine as an off-the-shelf Unitree product.
In response, Galgotias issued a clarification on social media, stating it had not built the robot and never intended to claim ownership. Instead, the university said it recently acquired the device as a teaching tool, describing it as a “classroom in motion” for students experimenting with robotics and AI systems.
Political reactions intensify debate
The controversy soon took a political turn, with the opposition Indian National Congress criticising the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party argued that showcasing foreign technology as domestic innovation damaged India’s global credibility during the high-profile summit, which hosted multiple world leaders and delegations.
Meanwhile, journalist Tapas Bhattachary, who conducted the interview, urged restraint. He cautioned against judging the broader innovation ecosystem based on a single incident, emphasising the creativity of Indian youth and the diversity of exhibitors at the event.
The episode has reignited debate about authenticity in tech showcases and the importance of transparent attribution in rapidly evolving AI spaces.
