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Business

Robot guard gets a job at popular Atlanta attraction this summer

A robot in action at the Prudential Center in Boston. The video was taken by Allied United, a major security services company that is trying to get its corporate and nonprofit customers to rent some of the robots. The Georgia Aquarium plans to test one this summer.
By Matt Kempner
June 16, 2017

A robot security guard will be on patrol this summer at one of metro Atlanta's biggest tourist attractions, as officials review whether its pros outweigh its cons on the job.

The Georgia Aquarium, which gets more than 2.4 million visitors a year, plans to give the K5 robot a pilot run in July or so.

The robot resembles an upright hard-boiled egg -- one that weighs about 300 pounds and is outfitted with a bunch of funky sensors and abilities. But it also has some simple limitations.

>> Check out what it can do and find out how it and its robotic cousins might rearrange security jobs, in my latest Unofficial Business column at MyAJC.com.

AJC Unofficial Business columnist Matt Kempner offers you a unique look at the business scene in metro Atlanta and beyond. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these columns:

Never miss a minute of what's happening in local business news. Subscribe to myAJC.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

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