Midjourney pivots from AI image generation to body scanning medical spa where patients bathe in 'golden light'

Key Points:

• San Francisco startup Midjourney, known for its AI image generation software, is launching Midjourney Medical to develop an innovative medical imaging device and plans to open a spa where guests can be scanned using ultrasound technology.
• The device uses a tank of water and 358,000 ultrasonic transducers to create MRI-like images by analyzing ultrasound waves, aiming for a full scan in about one minute with resolution comparable to standard clinical MRIs.
• The technology is based on existing Fullbody Ultrasound Computational Tomography (USCT) research, and Midjourney’s scanner hardware is supplied by ultrasound firm Butterfly Network under a co-development agreement.
• Midjourney plans to deploy 50,000 scanners globally by 2031, targeting preventative health applications to potentially reduce deaths by 30% and healthcare costs by 50%, but the device still requires FDA approval before commercial use.
• Butterfly Network confirmed its partnership and hardware provision, while Midjourney has yet to respond to further inquiries; the first ultrasound scanner spa is expected to open by the end of 2027.