New Delhi: Galgotias University has vacated its exhibition space at the India AI Impact Summit following a directive issued in the wake of controversy surrounding its showcased quadruped robot.
The robot dog had become a major attraction at the summit, with videos of the four-legged machine greeting visitors and demonstrating mobility features going viral on social media. It was widely regarded as one of the showstopper exhibits at the event.
However, the display sparked criticism after technology observers alleged that the robot was a commercially available unit developed by Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics, rather than an indigenous innovation. Social media users accused the university of projecting the robot as its own technological development, triggering a debate over ownership and attribution.
The issue soon took a political turn, with the opposition Indian National Congress criticising Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, alleging that Chinese-made robots were being promoted at an Indian technology summit.
Galgotias University denied any misrepresentation, stating that the robot had been clearly identified as a Unitree platform. The university said it was displayed to demonstrate applied robotics and AI integration capabilities rather than to claim it as an in-house invention.
The India AI Impact Summit is currently underway in the national capital, drawing global participation from governments, industry leaders and technology innovators.
