Even as controversy over a robot dog showcased at a recent AI exhibition refuses to die down, Galgotias University has found itself at the centre of a fresh storm—this time over its much-publicised “drone soccer” demonstration.
Critics on Tuesday alleged that the university’s claim of building India’s first drone soccer system was misleading, asserting that the device on display was actually a Korean product, identified as Striker V3 ARF. Sharing video clips on social media, they said the spherical drone system appeared identical to commercially available overseas models, accusing the institution of projecting imported technology as home-grown.
The allegation comes days after a robot dog exhibited at the same venue triggered questions over the origin of the hardware, with observers claiming it too was based on foreign technology.
According to those raising objections, the drone soccer unit showcased as part of Galgotias’ innovation display closely matches Korean platforms available in the global market. They argued that branding such products as indigenous undermines the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat and raises concerns over transparency in publicly promoted tech demonstrations.
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University counters claims
Galgotias University has pushed back against the accusations. In a video circulated from the event, a faculty member is heard saying that everything—from engineering design to application development—was carried out on campus, and that the facility represents India’s first dedicated drone soccer arena.
University officials maintain that while certain hardware components may be sourced externally, system integration, programming and use-case development were executed by in-house teams and students. They added that technical documentation could be shared to substantiate their claims.
However, critics insist that the core platform itself appears identical to overseas models and are demanding independent verification of the hardware and software stack used in the demonstration.
Backdrop of AI summit controversy
The latest row unfolds against the backdrop of the India AI Impact Summit, where Galgotias had put up multiple technology exhibits. Earlier, authorities had reportedly asked the university to temporarily shut down its pavilion following objections over the robot dog’s provenance, intensifying scrutiny around the institution’s showcase.
Political and technology observers say the issue has now moved beyond a campus dispute, evolving into a broader debate on how innovation claims are vetted at high-profile tech events.
“This isn’t just about one university,” said a Delhi-based startup mentor tracking the developments. “If imported products are presented as Indian breakthroughs, it defeats the purpose of encouraging genuine domestic R&D.”
Experts call for clearer standards
Technology experts argue that the episode highlights the need for transparent certification mechanisms at innovation summits.
“There should be clear disclosure on what is indigenously developed and what is assembled or adapted from global platforms,” one mentor said. “Students experimenting with international kits is perfectly fine—but the narrative must be honest.”
They added that India’s rapidly expanding AI and robotics ecosystem risks credibility damage if provenance is not clearly communicated.
What lies ahead
With pressure mounting, sources indicate that organisers of future tech showcases may review participation guidelines, including mandatory technical disclosures from exhibitors. Meanwhile, critics say they will continue to seek clarity on both the robot dog and drone soccer systems displayed at the summit.
For Galgotias University, the episode has turned an innovation showcase into a reputational test—underscoring the fine line between global collaboration and claims of indigenous creation in India’s fast-evolving technology landscape.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
