Galgotias University's 'Chinese Robodog' takes centrestage for memes amid AI Impact Summit chaos - a look at some viral ones

For Galgotias University, a popular proverb now stands tweaked: 'Every Robodog has its day’. What began as a showcase at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has now turned into one of the internet’s favourite talking points. On February 18, Galgotias University found itself at the centre of a controversy after claims about its robotics display were questioned online. Within hours, social media platforms were filled with memes, jokes and sharp commentary.

Viral posts add fuel to the fire

One widely shared satirical post mocked a so-called “GALGOTIA” rocket-catching project. The post jokingly expanded the acronym to “Gravity Arresting Launch Grade Orbital Trapping Indigenous Apparatus” and called it a “proud moment for humanity,” alongside a video from SpaceX.

“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.”

Another user wrote, “Tum kitne galgotia pakdoge. Har gali se galgotia niklega (How many Galgotia will you catch? There’s a Galgotia in every lane),” while others questioned whether authorities had handled the matter appropriately.

A user wrote, “Galgotia University strikes again. After the Chinese robot, they claimed that they built a soccer drone from scratch on their campus. Reality: It is commercially available in the market at just ₹40,000 as Striker V3 ARF. What kind of fraud are they??”

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“Is this govt and administration a joke? Instead of formally asking Galgotia to leave, they have reportedly cut the power supply to their pavilion. Galgotia wale bhi dheeth hain, ja nahi rahe (Even the people from Galgotia are stubborn; they are not leaving). Why does this country function like a Sitcom?”, a user questioned.

Some posts also claimed that after showcasing a robotic dog and a soccer drone as in-house innovations, both products were identified by users as commercially available foreign models.

Comedian Vir Das joined the online chatter with a tongue-in-cheek comment encouraging people to adopt an “indie dog.” Taking to X, he wrote, “Gonna use this opportunity to encourage everyone to adopt an indie dog. They are wonderful. This is stoopee. Just told him he wasn’t made by Galgotia University.”

What triggered the controversy

The issue began when the university displayed a robotic dog named Orion, claiming it had been developed at its Centre of Excellence. Online users later identified the machine as Unitree Go2, a Chinese product available in the market.

Similarly, a soccer drone presented as a campus-built innovation was also recognised as a commercially available foreign model.

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Following mounting criticism, the Ministry of Electronics and IT reportedly asked the university to vacate its stall at Bharat Mandapam. Reports said the power supply to the pavilion was cut after the university did not leave immediately.

University issues clarification

Galgotias University later clarified that it had not intended to claim to manufacture the robot. It said the technology was being used for academic purposes.

In a public apology, the university stated, “We, at Galgotias University, wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press.”