Midjourney enters the hardware world with a full-body ultrasound scanner
Midjourney, known for its powerful AI image generator that can create stunning visuals from simple text prompts, has announced its first hardware product: the Midjourney Scanner. This full-body ultrasound imaging system uses a ring of sensors to capture detailed vertical slices of the human body, providing insights into muscle, fat, bone, and organ composition. CEO David Holz described the device in a recent livestream, highlighting its potential to revolutionize personal health monitoring.
How the scanner works
The scanning process begins with the user stepping onto a platform that descends into a water-filled chamber. The platform passes through a ring equipped with thousands of ultrasonic transducers, which send waves through the body from every angle. These waves are recorded as they ripple through tissues, and with the help of two petaflops of processing power, detailed 3D images are reconstructed. The entire scan takes approximately 60 seconds. According to Midjourney, the experience is designed to be calming, with golden light and a spa-like atmosphere.
The technology is built in partnership with Butterfly Network, a company specializing in portable ultrasound devices. Midjourney Medical, the division behind the project, uses 40 Butterfly Ultrasound-on-Chip imaging modules per system. The AI segmentation overlays, as shown in demo images, help cleanly separate different structures inside the body.
From cat pictures to medical imaging
Midjourney originally gained fame for its AI art generation, enabling users to create everything from surreal landscapes to photorealistic portraits of cats. The company’s shift into medical hardware signals a broader ambition. Holz noted that the scanner is a side project, but one that could be “in many ways superior to even MRI machines.” Unlike MRI, which uses powerful magnets and requires patients to remain still for long periods, the Midjourney Scanner uses sound waves and takes just a minute. It also avoids radiation exposure, making it suitable for frequent use.
Holz expressed interest in using the scanner daily to track how his body responds to diet and exercise changes. “I’m not the most measured man on Earth yet, you know, but maybe I want to have that daily measurable information,” he said during the reveal.
Plans for a spa and regulatory hurdles
The scanner will debut as part of a Midjourney Spa in San Francisco’s Union Square, scheduled to open before the end of 2027. The spa will feature 10 scanners, along with a gym, saunas, and cold plunges. Users will enter a hot tub-like environment to be scanned. For now, the device is not intended for diagnostic medical use; Midjourney Medical is focusing on “body composition maps” that do not require FDA clearance. However, Holz acknowledged that future medical applications would require regulatory approval. He imagined a future where the FDA creates a class of devices for “weird” data-gathering, allowing people to “just try to get as much data as we can.”
Privacy and data sharing
Midjourney Medical states that users can share their “library of scans” with doctors, AI health tools, or others. The company emphasizes data privacy, promising more details on data policies closer to launch. The scans are stored securely, and users control access. This approach aims to build trust as the technology moves toward broader adoption.
Technical details and comparisons
The scanner uses a ring of thousands of transducers that generate ultrasonic waves. As the user descends into the water, the sensors act like echolocating dolphins, capturing data from every angle. The resulting images are processed with two petaflops of compute power, enabling real-time 3D reconstruction. Holz claimed the image quality could eventually match or surpass MRI in many ways, without the need for heavy magnets, radiation, or long scan times. About a dozen people have been scanned so far in testing.
Butterfly Network’s ultrasound-on-chip technology is a key enabler, miniaturizing traditional ultrasound equipment into compact modules. The partnership allows Midjourney to leverage existing hardware while focusing on software and AI-driven analysis.
Context and industry implications
The move into medical hardware is unusual for an AI company, but it reflects a growing trend of tech firms expanding into health. Apple, Google, and Samsung have all introduced health-monitoring features, but Midjourney’s approach is more ambitious: a dedicated imaging device intended for regular, non-invasive whole-body scans. The spa experience is designed to make scanning accessible and enjoyable, rather than clinical.
Holz emphasized that the scanner is not meant to replace traditional diagnostic tools but to provide proactive health insights. Users can track changes over time, potentially catching anomalies early. The company is also exploring AI-driven analysis of the scans, which could flag changes in tissue density or organ size.
While the device is still in early stages, the announcement has generated significant interest. Critics question the necessity of daily whole-body scans and raise concerns about over-medicalization and data privacy. Supporters argue that regular monitoring could demystify health and empower individuals to make informed lifestyle choices.
Expansion beyond the spa
Initially, the scanner will only be available at the Midjourney Spa in San Francisco. There are no announced plans for retail sales or partnerships with hospitals. However, if successful, Midjourney may expand to other locations. The company has posted job listings seeking engineers and medical experts, suggesting long-term commitment.
The water-based scanning method is reminiscent of experimental body scanners used in research, but Midjourney’s integration of AI and consumer-focused design sets it apart. The company’s brand—known for creativity and aesthetics—may help attract a non-medical audience.
Financial and strategic view
Midjourney’s revenue from its image generation service funds these experimental projects. Holz has been vocal about using AI compute capacity for alternative applications when not in high demand. This approach allows the company to innovate without depending on venture capital or debt. The scanner and spa are essentially a diversification of Midjourney’s business into health and wellness, leveraging its AI expertise in image segmentation and analysis.
Butterfly Network, meanwhile, gains a high-profile partner for its ultrasound chips, potentially accelerating adoption in non-traditional settings. The partnership could lead to further developments in consumer health imaging.
Challenges ahead
Regulatory approval remains a major hurdle. For the scanner to be used for diagnostic purposes, it must pass FDA scrutiny. Currently, Midjourney Medical is careful to position the device as a wellness tool rather than a medical device. The company must also address privacy concerns, especially given the sensitive nature of body scans.
Additionally, the cost of the scanner and spa membership has not been disclosed. If priced too high, it may remain a luxury service. Holz hinted that the goal is to make preventative scanning available to billions, implying a scalable and affordable model.
Despite these challenges, the reveal marks a bold step for Midjourney. The company is known for pushing boundaries in AI art; now it aims to transform personal health monitoring. Whether the scanner becomes a staple of daily life or a niche curiosity remains to be seen, but its blend of advanced hardware, AI analysis, and spa experience is undeniably innovative.
As Midjourney continues to develop the technology, more information about pricing, data policies, and clinical validation is expected. For now, the scanner exists as a prototype, scanning a dozen test subjects in a San Francisco lab. The coming years will determine if this side project can achieve its lofty ambition.
Source: The Verge News