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Midjourney is expanding into hardware and launching a new team in San Francisco to explore immersive AI projects despite the limited details of their plans.
Midjourney, known for its leading AI image generation technology, is branching into hardware. The company, reportedly earning over $200 million in revenue without venture capital, recently announced this strategic shift on X. Midjourney is recruiting for a new hardware team that will operate out of San Francisco.
We're officially getting into hardware. If you're interested in joining the new team in San Francisco please email us at [email protected]
— Midjourney (@midjourney) August 28, 2024
Details about the hardware Midjourney is working on are still limited. In the thread, the company indicated that while they weren’t sharing specific information yet, they were working on several projects. Midjourney clarified that it won’t be a pendant and is exploring “different form factors.” The AI platform hinted at a more immersive experience, though one post humorously suggested it could be something you “go inside of.”
Midjourney’s hardware team, which consists of fewer than 100 people, recently added Ahmad Abbas, who was hired in February. Abbas, previously the Hardware Engineering Manager for Apple’s Vision Pro headset and a former Neuralink staffer, brings substantial expertise to the team. His experience with the Vision Pro suggests that Midjourney may be planning ambitious hardware projects. Additionally, Abbas has collaborated with Midjourney CEO David Holz, co-founder of Leap Motion, which could further boost the potential for innovative developments.
Rising Competition of AI Image Creators in the Hardware Market
Midjourney’s expansion into hardware comes amid increasing competition from AI image creators like Flux and the recently updated Ideogram. Although branching into hardware appears to be a strategic move, AI devices have faced significant hurdles. This may explain Midjourney’s decision to avoid creating pendant-like devices like the Humane AI Pin, the Rabbit R1, or Plaud.ai’s NotePin.
Despite Midjourney’s fans’ enthusiasm, the company will need to innovate significantly to ensure its hardware is compelling, practical, and well-received.
