The value of 5000 USD will be an obstacle for the implementation of this robot to substitute traditional labour force. It is not very high for high income economies but workers in India and especially the dalit do the same work for much less. Another question is who would invest in this technology on a larger scale? Public agencies who would then question the importance of traditional hierarchies in the Indian society? I think this whole issue is much more complex.
RE: Tech News: Robot May End the Untouchable Duty of Sewer Cleaning