What began as a technology showcase at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 quickly turned into a social media storm for Galgotias University. The university faced backlash after it displayed a robotic dog named “Orion” and described it as an in-house innovation developed by its Centre of Excellence.
Online users soon identified the robot as Unitree Go2, a commercially available Chinese robotic dog priced at a few lakh rupees. Critics accused the university of presenting imported technology as indigenous.
Why Is ‘GALGOTIA’ Trending on Social Media?
As the controversy spread, memes flooded platforms like X and Instagram. One viral satirical post introduced a fictional project called the “GALGOTIA” rocket catcher.
The post read:
“Galgotia University’s final-year project (that actually works) to catch returning rockets. It’s called Gravity Arresting Launch Grade Orbital Trapping Indigenous Apparatus (GALGOTIA). Proud moment for humanity,” say the post while attacking a video from SpaceX.
The meme mocked the university by linking its name to a dramatic space technology claim, further amplifying the online criticism.
Galgotia’s drone model:
Made of thermocol, cardboard, and cello tape.
They literally brought some 4th standard kid’s summer project as “innovation” at the AI Impact Summit.pic.twitter.com/wdKuCMc5pU
— PunsterX (@PunsterX) February 18, 2026
LPU, Sharda and Amity University after seeing downfall of Galgotia University pic.twitter.com/86EC4IIMpf
— rae (@ChillamChilli) February 18, 2026
Emergency Medicine Doctor at Galgotia University pic.twitter.com/XqlLvgsYKX
— Abhishek ✨ (@ImAbhishek7_) February 17, 2026
Thank God Galgotia’s didn’t showcase this at the AI kumbh mela 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/LsJzX2Zapj
— Bhau® (@Bhau_wapis) February 18, 2026
Galgotias university students be like pic.twitter.com/TK6JUp5Mik
— Abhishek (@be_mewadi) February 18, 2026
What Is the Orion AI Robot Controversy?
The Orion robotic dog display triggered the row. Social media users quickly compared it with images of the Unitree Go2 and pointed out clear similarities. Around the same time, the university also claimed it had built a soccer drone from scratch. Internet users alleged that this drone also resembled a foreign commercial product.
The issue escalated when authorities reportedly asked the university to vacate its stall at Bharat Mandapam. Reports claimed officials cut the power supply after the institution did not immediately comply.
Galgotias University AI Summit: Why Did the Ministry Step In?
The Ministry of Electronics and IT intervened as questions about “indigenous innovation” gained attention. The incident sparked debate over transparency in academic tech exhibitions and the importance of clearly identifying imported hardware.
While the university has responded to the allegations, the meme wave continues online, turning a serious tech controversy into one of the most talked-about moments of the summit.
