When the robot was seen in the pavilion area, people stopped to observe its smooth movements. They pulled out their phones to record videos, which went viral online in a matter of hours. What began as an odd exhibit quickly gained popularity across platforms, generating widespread curiosity and comparisons to robots from science fiction films.

This AI-powered quadruped, known as the Unitree Go2, is a unique device from the Chinese company Unitree Robotics. With the help of cameras, sensors, and LiDAR technology, it can navigate environments on its own and create 3D maps in real time to avoid obstacles, negotiate curves, and climb mild slopes. The company’s website states, “It’s designed for smooth, intelligent mobility,” emphasising its application in tech events, security demonstrations, and research.

The robot costs between $1,600 and $2,800 abroad, which is about Rs 1.5 lakh for the base model. When shipping and import taxes are taken into account, the price in India rises to about Rs 6 lakh. More sophisticated models allow for remote control through apps, and depending on usage, the battery can run for hours. The Go2 represents futuristic utility and is aimed more at research teams, startups, labs, and colleges than at regular consumers.

The novelty of seeing a lifelike machine up close led to its viral fame, drawing large crowds and online shares. A few attendees, however, expressed disapproval of the prominence of foreign technology at an Indian summit and called for greater room for indigenous inventions. In addition to providing entertainment, the robot dog sparked discussions about local versus global technological prowess as videos flooded timelines.