Midjourney, known for its AI image generator, unveiled its first hardware product: a full-body ultrasound scanner that CEO David Holz claims will be superior to MRI machines. The company plans to build a San Francisco spa to house the technology.
Midjourney's new venture marks a significant departure from its core business of generating AI images. The Midjourney Scanner uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical ultrasound slices of the human body, creating detailed cross-sectional imagery.
CEO David Holz acknowledged the pivot is unconventional, joking that the move represents a shift from "cat pictures" to medical imaging. The company claims the scanner will offer advantages over traditional MRI machines, though specific technical details remain limited.
The hardware uses ultrasound-based imaging rather than magnetic resonance, potentially offering a different approach to full-body scanning. Midjourney Medical, the division handling the project, has released images of ultrasound scans showing segmented imaging phantoms to validate how structures separate under controlled conditions.
The scanner's connection to Midjourney's AI capabilities is unclear. The company has not detailed how its image generation technology might integrate with the medical hardware, or whether AI will play a role in image processing or interpretation.
The San Francisco spa facility signals Midjourney's intention to commercialize the technology, though pricing, availability, and regulatory status remain unannounced. Medical imaging devices typically require FDA approval before widespread deployment in the U.S.
This expansion into hardware reflects broader trends in tech companies diversifying beyond their original focus. Whether Midjourney's ultrasound scanner represents a sustainable medical technology venture or a side project remains unclear.
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