Midjourney announced a full-body ultrasonic scanner designed to image the entire human body in approximately 60 seconds [1].

The device represents a significant pivot for the AI image generator company, which is launching a dedicated medical division called Midjourney Medical. By utilizing Butterfly Network ultrasound chips, the company aims to provide a faster and cheaper alternative to traditional MRI machines for imaging tissues, organs, and blood vessels [1, 3].

Midjourney plans to install these scanners in high-end wellness spas [4, 5]. The technology is intended to produce detailed 3-D images without the long wait times typically associated with magnetic resonance imaging.

However, reports on the technology's current performance vary. While the company promotes a 60-second scan time [1], other reports indicate that the current prototype requires about 20 minutes to complete a full-body scan [3]. This discrepancy suggests a gap between the final product goals and the existing hardware capabilities.

The transition from generative AI art to medical hardware marks a bold expansion for the company. The use of ultrasonic technology allows for real-time imaging, but the feasibility of a one-minute full-body scan remains a point of contention among industry observers [3].

“The scanner can image the human body in just 60 seconds.”

The entry of a generative AI powerhouse into medical hardware suggests a strategy to merge AI-driven image processing with physical diagnostic tools. If the 60-second scan time is achieved, it could disrupt the diagnostic pipeline by lowering the cost and time barrier for full-body screenings, though the current prototype's 20-minute duration indicates the technology is still in a developmental phase.