A video from the ongoing in Delhi went viral after showing a robotic dog at the stall, sparking debate and trolling on social media. Galgotias University, located in Greater Noida, had set up a large stall at the summit highlighting its artificial intelligence investments of over Rs 350 crore. A robotic dog was displayed there, and presenters explained that it roams around the campus, helps in surveillance, can take photos in tight spaces and reach difficult areas. From the video, it appeared to many viewers that this was the university’s own innovation. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
However, after the clip spread widely online, a controversy began. Several media outlets, especially those covering Chinese and Eurasian technology developments, reported that the robot was not built by the university but was actually the Unitree Go2 model from Chinese company Unitree Robotics. The robot is available on global online platforms for about $2,800 (around Rs 2.3 lakh). Social media users alleged that the university presented it as part of its own technological showcase despite it being a commercial product. (Photo: News18)
This led to widespread trolling, with users sharing memes and critical comments. Some said that calling a Chinese product an Indian innovation was misleading, while others described it as a fake presentation. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
The university soon issued a clarification. It stated that it never claimed to have built the robotic dog. According to the statement, the robot was purchased from a global robotics company in China and is being used only as a learning and demonstration tool for students. The focus, it said, is to train young minds who can build such technologies in India in the future. “We have not made a robotic dog, nor have we claimed to do so. Our goal is to inspire students,” the university said. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
The Galgotias stall was among the most visited at the summit. Along with the robotic dog, it also showcased AI-based startups, the incubation centre GICRISE, and apps from its iOS development centre. However, the controversy has raised questions about transparency in technology demonstrations and the AI ecosystem. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
The trolling largely stemmed from the perception that a Chinese product was being presented as an Indian innovation, though the university says this was a misunderstanding. The incident has also sparked curiosity about other robotic products from China that can be brought to India, as the country remains the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial robots. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
Many such machines are imported into India every year for industrial, educational and home use. They are considered affordable, advanced and easily available through global platforms like Alibaba, Amazon and IndiaMART, though buyers must pay customs duty and GST. (News18 Hindi Photo)
Benefits of importing robots from China include lower prices, advanced features, easy shipping and, in some cases, local support. However, buyers are advised to check for geo-lock restrictions and compatibility before purchasing. Here are six popular robot products that can be ordered in India. (Photo Credit: Reddit)
1. Unitree Go2 (Robotic Dog): This is the same quadruped robot that was at the centre of the Galgotias controversy. It is AI-powered and capable of moving at speeds of up to 3.5 m/s, carrying loads of up to 10 kg and navigating using a 4D LiDAR sensor. It also supports voice interaction and OTA updates. Price ranges from $1,600-$4,500 (around Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs 3.7 lakh), depending on the model. Uses include surveillance, education and industrial tasks. (Photo Credit: Unitree.com)
2. Xiaomi CyberDog (Bionic Quadruped Robot): This smart robot from Xiaomi resembles a dog and offers voice interaction, smart home integration and camera-based navigation. It can reach speeds of up to 3.2 m/s and is open-source for developers. It is listed at around Rs 20,000 on some platforms. It can be used for home security, as a pet robot and for development experiments. (Photo Credit: Mi.com)
3. UBTECH Walker S2 (Humanoid Robot): An industrial-grade humanoid robot designed for logistics and security operations. It features self-replacement batteries, long autonomous operation, LiDAR navigation, hand gestures and voice command capabilities. Pricing is typically contract-based and can range between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. (Photo: UBTECH)
4. Ecovacs Deebot Y1 PRO (Robot Vacuum Cleaner): A 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop designed for home cleaning. It comes with 6,500 Pa suction, a 5,200 mAh battery, app control and an auto-empty station. Available on Amazon India for around Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. (Photo: Credit: Ecovacs)
5. Roborock S5 MAX (Robot Vacuum and Mop): A smart cleaning robot with LiDAR navigation, selective room cleaning, 2,000 Pa suction and no-mop zones. It is priced between Rs 25,000-Rs 35,000 and is commonly used for daily home cleaning. (Photo Credit: Roborock)
6. Pudu T150 (Industrial Delivery Robot) – Bonus: A light-payload delivery robot from Pudu Robotics designed for commercial and factory environments. It features autonomous navigation, 3D perception and industrial-grade performance. It can be imported from global platforms at an estimated cost of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh and is used for factory delivery and service tasks. (Photo Credit: Pudu)
