Midjourney unveils ultrasound-based full-body scanner as first hardware product

Midjourney Medical, a side project of the AI image generator Midjourney, unveiled its first hardware product: an ultrasound-based full-body scanner called The Midjourney Scanner. The device uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical slices of the body, analyzing muscle, fat, bone, and organ composition. Midjourney CEO David Holz described the scanner as aiming for image quality comparable to MRI in many ways, though he acknowledged that medical applications would require FDA clearances.

The scanning process begins with stepping onto a platform that descends into a pool of water, passing through a ring of thousands of transducers. These sensors emit ultrasonic waves that pass through the body from multiple angles, creating detailed 3D images in about 60 seconds. The system combines these sensors with two petaflops of processing power to generate the scans.

Midjourney Medical developed the scanner in partnership with Butterfly Network, which contributed 40 Butterfly Ultrasound-on-Chip imaging modules per system. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of AI companies leveraging specialized hardware to expand into adjacent markets, in this case, preventative healthcare.

Midjourney plans to open a San Francisco spa by the end of 2027, where visitors will be able to receive scans in hot tub–equipped rooms. The spa will also feature gyms, saunas, and cold plunges, positioning the scanner as part of a wellness experience. Holz suggested that the scans could eventually surpass MRI in speed and accessibility, without requiring radiation or powerful magnets.

The company is initially focusing on 'body composition maps' that do not require the same level of FDA clearance as diagnostic imaging. Midjourney Medical also plans to allow users to share their scan data with doctors or AI health tools, emphasizing data privacy as a priority. Holz envisions a future where regulatory frameworks could enable broader, low-friction access to such scans for preventative health monitoring.