A simple case of mistaken identity at the Bharat AI Impact Summit 2026 has turned into a full-blown scandal for Galgotias University in Greater Noida. What started as an enthusiastic presentation snowballed into accusations of fraud, forcing the institution to apologize publicly on Wednesday.
At their pavilion, a university representative proudly introduced the ‘Orion’ robotic dog—actually Unitree Go2 from China—as an in-house creation from the Center of Excellence. Social media exploded with criticism, exposing the device as a ready-to-buy gadget costing 2-3 lakhs in India. Facing mounting pressure, the expo organizers evicted the stall.
Galgotias responded with a detailed press release clarifying the mishap. ‘Our representative was unaware of the product’s true technical origins,’ it stated. ‘In the heat of the moment on camera, incorrect information was shared by someone not authorized for press interactions. We sincerely apologize for this confusion.’
Reaffirming their values, the university insisted no deliberate deception occurred. They prioritize ‘academic integrity, transparency, and responsibility’ and respected the event hosts by vacating immediately.
Professor Neha Singh’s interview ignited the fire, where she confidently linked ‘Orion’ to university innovation. Once the video went viral, users dismantled the claim, branding it ‘misrepresentation’ and a ‘lie about Indian AI progress.’
Earlier, on platform X, Galgotias hit back at critics. ‘We’re troubled by propaganda against our university,’ they wrote. Faculty and students engage in robotic programming to master AI using worldwide tools, building deployable real-world skills amid urgent talent needs.
The post highlighted their student-centric vision: granting access to cutting-edge tech for hands-on learning and future-proofing. ‘Don’t let negativity break the spirit of students toiling to innovate, learn, and skill up with global technology,’ it urged.
This episode underscores the perils of overzealous promotion in competitive tech arenas. For Galgotias, it’s a lesson in verification; for India’s AI ecosystem, a reminder that hype without substance erodes trust. The university’s apology aims to close the chapter, but online scrutiny persists.