For creators and makers in the health-tech space, Midjourney’s pivot is a startling reminder that the line between generative art and physical infrastructure is thinner than it appears. While the company built its reputation on crafting digital imagery, it is now deploying hardware to scan the human body, effectively turning its own spa into a laboratory for medical innovation.
A dolphin in a pool of light
The device is a full-body ultrasound scanner developed in collaboration with Butterfly Network. The process begins with a user stepping into a shallow pool illuminated by golden light. As the body sinks through a ring of underwater sensors, the system emits ultrasound waves that function much like a dolphin’s echolocation.
Half a million tiny sensor elements, roughly the size of fine sand grains, act as both speakers and microphones. They transmit sound waves and measure how the echoes shift as they pass through skin, fat, muscle, and bone. A compute cluster then processes this data to generate a three-dimensional image of the body.
From body maps to diagnostic imaging
A single scan completes in approximately 60 seconds. Midjourney claims the technology aims to eventually outperform MRI machines, offering detailed imaging without the use of radiation or magnets. Currently, the system produces body composition maps that do not require FDA approval. The company intends to submit test results to the agency on a rolling basis to eventually secure clearance for full diagnostic imaging.
So far, only about a dozen individuals have undergone a scan, according to CEO David Holz. The roadmap is aggressive: by 2031, the company aims to operate a fleet of more than 50,000 scanners globally, capable of performing one billion scans per month. A third-generation scanner is scheduled for release in 2028, a milestone Holz describes as the moment things get “serious.” This iteration will feature completely custom silicon, promising a “night-and-day” improvement in image quality and speed.
The spa in San Francisco
Midjourney plans to open its own facility in San Francisco by late 2027 to house the technology. Holz has suggested that with sufficient early imaging data, the world could potentially avoid 30% of all deaths and 50% of total healthcare costs. Whether this venture is a genuine leap forward or merely techno-dystopian hardware for the wealthy will become clearer once the spa opens its doors.
Key takeaways
- Midjourney is partnering with Butterfly Network to build a full-body ultrasound scanner that generates 3D images in about 60 seconds without radiation.
- The first dedicated spa housing the scanners is scheduled to open in San Francisco by the end of 2027.
- The company aims to deploy over 50,000 scanners worldwide by 2031, starting with non-regulated body composition maps before seeking full FDA diagnostic clearance.
