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Jun 18, 20261
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Midjourney Unveils Full-Body Ultrasound Scanner, Plans San Francisco Spa
Midjourney CEO David Holz unveiled The Midjourney Scanner, a full-body ultrasound imaging device developed with Butterfly Network that aims to match or exceed MRI image quality without radiation. The company plans to open a San Francisco spa with 10 scanners by the end of 2027, offering preventative health scanning as a new business line alongside its AI image generation services.
Quick Facts
Who
David Holz
What
Unveiled The Midjourney Scanner, a full-body ultrasound imaging device
When
2026-06-18
Where
San Francisco
- Unveiled The Midjourney Scanner, a full-body ultrasound imaging device
- Developed partnership with Butterfly Network
- Plans to open Midjourney Spa in San Francisco's Union Square
- Scanned approximately a dozen people in testing
- Focuses on body composition mapping for preventative health
Midjourney, the AI image generation company, has announced its first hardware product: The Midjourney Scanner, a full-body ultrasound imaging device that marks a significant expansion beyond the company's core business. CEO David Holz unveiled the scanner at a launch event, describing it as technology that aims to achieve image quality comparable to MRI scans while offering advantages such as no radiation, no powerful magnets, and rapid scanning times of approximately 60 seconds.
The Midjourney Scanner was developed in partnership with ultrasound technology company Butterfly Network and uses 40 Butterfly Ultrasound-on-Chip imaging modules per system. The device operates through a distinctive process: users step onto a platform that descends into water, passing through a ring of thousands of ultrasonic transducers. These transducers emit ultrasonic waves through the body from every angle and record the returning ripples, which are analyzed using two petaflops of processing power to generate detailed 3D images of muscle, fat, bone, and organ composition. To date, approximately a dozen people have been scanned with the device.
Holz outlined ambitions for the technology's application, suggesting users could perform full-body scans daily or annually to track changes from diet and exercise. He emphasized that initial offerings would focus on "body composition maps" rather than diagnostic imaging, which would require FDA clearance. Midjourney Medical is positioning the scanner as a preventative health tool and plans to integrate scan libraries with medical professionals and AI health applications, with commitments to data privacy.
Midjourney plans to open a dedicated spa location in San Francisco's Union Square before the end of 2027, initially housing 10 scanners. The Midjourney Spa will feature amenities including a gym, saunas, cold plunges, and hot tub-equipped scanning rooms designed to provide "a magical spa experience" around the scanning service. Holz offered attendees at the launch event the opportunity to have their hands scanned to experience the technology firsthand.
While Holz suggested the scanner could eventually surpass MRI capabilities, questions remain about the direct relationship between Midjourney's existing AI image generation technology and this medical hardware venture, with some observers noting it may represent an alternative application for the company's underutilized AI compute resources. Regulatory pathways for medical applications remain under discussion, with Holz indicating interest in FDA classifications that would permit broader data collection for health monitoring purposes.
Why This Matters
Midjourney's entry into medical imaging hardware represents a significant diversification from its core AI business and signals a potential new revenue stream in preventative health monitoring. For consumers, the technology could offer accessible, radiation-free full-body health scanning within a spa setting, democratizing health insights typically reserved for hospital-grade MRI facilities. However, regulatory pathways remain uncertain—the distinction between "body composition mapping" and diagnostic imaging carries implications for FDA approval, insurance coverage, and clinical validity that will determine whether this becomes a mainstream health tool or a luxury wellness novelty.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireDavid Holz publicly unveils The Midjourney Scanner at launch event
Jun 18, 2026
WireApproximately 12 people have been scanned with prototype device
Dec 31, 2027
WireTarget date for opening Midjourney Spa in San Francisco's Union Square with 10 scanners