Elon Musk showcases much-touted humanoid robot ‘Optimus’ at his ‘AI Day’ event

BILLIONAIRE Elon Musk has unveiled a prototype of a promised humanoid robot at an AI event.

Optimus, named after the leader of the Autobots in the Transformers films, walked on stage and waved at the crowd.

A video of it carrying a box, watering plants and moving metal bars in one of Musk’s Tesla e-car plants was also shown.

Musk said he hopes to begin production next year, although “a lot of work” was still needed.

"There will be lots of technical detail & cool hardware demos,"

He said that, ultimately, millions would be made at around £20,000 each.

The first will work in his factories, he said, but in future they could be used in homes to cook, care for the elderly, be a “buddy” or sex partner.

Musk, 51, also said he expects Tesla to achieve full self-driving this year and mass produce a robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedal by 2024.