Midjourney is developing a full-body ultrasonic scanner, a significant pivot from its traditional focus on AI image generation. The company described the project as “a little weird and a little crazy, but also spectacular and filled with hope” in a recent blog post.
The ultrasonic scanner will operate by submerging a patient onto a platform into water, with underwater sensors sending ultrasonic waves through the body to create internal images. This method draws inspiration from echolocation used by dolphins.
Midjourney aims to complete the scanning process in under 60 seconds, a notable reduction compared to the 60 to 90 minutes required for a traditional MRI. The scanner will generate terabytes of data each second, necessitating advanced computational capabilities and AI to convert sound waves into detailed images.
According to Crypto Briefing, Midjourney has partnered with Butterfly Network, a company known for handheld ultrasonic scanners, under a licensing agreement established in 2025. Ahmad Abbas, head of hardware at Midjourney, previously worked on Apple’s Vision Pro.
The company is accelerating development, with plans to open the first Midjourney Spa featuring hot tubs, saunas, and the new scanners in San Francisco by 2027. Customers will be able to enjoy spa facilities while receiving a comprehensive body scan and health data.
To reach this goal, Midjourney intends to refine its algorithms and hardware over the next 12 months, followed by the establishment of a research spa and the development of a second-generation scanner. The company also plans to seek FDA approval for the project.
If successful, Midjourney hopes to expand to more cities by 2028, introducing a third-generation scanner that will feature custom silicon for improved image quality and scanning speed. The company targets a fleet of over 50,000 scanners worldwide by 2031, with the capacity to conduct one billion scans each month.
Midjourney plans to share updates on the project regularly and has indicated that more projects are in the pipeline.
