Smart home automation is constantly evolving. It is an emerging segment that has attracted the attention of large technology conglomerates such as Apple, Google and Amazon.
However, interoperability has been a significant challenge in smart home deployment since its inception. The focus so far has been on integrating a multitude of devices, platforms and services under a common umbrella. Often, this integration has been achieved through a common web interface or a voice assistant to control devices from different vendors and platforms.
Voice assistants, web interfaces or mobile applications have become a layer of control. This has resulted in autonomous home automation ecosystems around specific interfaces, such as Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri, which have their own set of compatible devices and platforms.
The control layer has made accessing smart home devices more complicated. Devices can be controlled or operated using precise voice commands or a complex mobile interface. Unfortunately, true interoperability was lost in efforts to build home automation systems around voice assistants or specific mobile platforms because Alexa couldn't talk to Siri and Siri couldn't talk to Google Assistant. However, these compatibility issues may be resolved soon.
Previously called Project CHIP (Connected Home over IP), Matter, an open-source interoperability standard, was released in 2022. With support from technology companies including Apple, Google and Amazon, seamless integration will likely be achieved. In this article, we will discuss the standard and how it will affect smart home automation.
What matters?
Matter is an open source connectivity standard that aims to unify the smart home by promoting seamless communication and interoperability between devices from different manufacturers and ecosystems. Device manufacturers will soon need to comply with Matter to ensure their devices' compatibility with popular smart home voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google Assistant and others.
Matter allows users to purchase and operate any gadget with their preferred voice assistant or platform while establishing a smart home. This means you can buy a Matter-supported smart bulb and set it up with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa (or any of them) without worrying about compatibility. Some devices still support multiple platforms, but Matter will include support for all platforms.
Matter works over your local area network (WIFI), making devices more responsive and operable even when the Internet is off. The protocol uses Bluetooth Low Energy to configure devices and operate them over WIFI and other Thread network layers. These devices will be easily discoverable and controllable through a single app, so there will be no need to juggle multiple apps and platforms.
Characteristics of Matter
Some of the most important features of the Matter standard are the following:
- Open source: Matter is an open source standard maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) . Several large technology companies support the standard, and the open source nature will attract a lot of support for the protocol in the future.
- Interoperability between different ecosystems: Matter allows you to control and operate devices across different ecosystems, including different voice assistants and platforms. Matter-certified devices will work seamlessly together, regardless of who manufactured them. This will allow you to mix and match your favorite brands to create the ideal smart home.
- Improved security: Matter is built on strong security foundations, including mandatory end-to-end encryption and multi-admin support. The CSA intends to certify devices that use public infrastructure and distributed ledger technology. It has already released a set of security and privacy guidelines. This should ensure that people connect their homes and networks to legitimate, certified and modern equipment. You and the platform/device manufacturer will still be responsible for exchanging and collecting data.
- Simplified Setup: Matter devices will be easily discoverable and controllable through a single app, so there will be no need to juggle multiple apps or platforms.
- More reliable: Matter uses Thread, a low-power mesh networking technology, for local communication between devices. Devices can be operated even when the Internet is turned off. Matter promises faster response times, less reliance on the cloud, and even better performance in larger homes.
- Future-proof: Matter is continually developing and improving as an open source standard. Over time, new features and device types will be introduced to ensure your smart home will remain compatible and up-to-date for years to come.
Why is the matter important?
Imagine smart lights that can't “talk” to your smart thermostat because they're from different brands. This interoperability has been a concern for manufacturers of smart products. Matter promises to be the solution by creating a universal language for all devices, allowing them to interact regardless of manufacturer.
Matter is maintained by the CSA, which has more than 550 technology companies as members. It is open source, and companies interested in integrating their products into the Matter ecosystem can do so royalty-free using the software development kit (SDK). No other standard has such scope of ubiquity.
History of Matter
The Matter standard journey began with the “Connected Home over IP (CHIP)” project in 2019, a working group formed by Amazon, Apple, Google and Zigbee Alliance. Its mission was to unify the fragmented smart home landscape by creating a single, open-source connectivity standard. In 2020, the group was renamed to “Matter”. In May 2020, the first technical specifications of Matter 1.0 were released, describing the main features and communication protocols.
The CSA was formed in May 2021, taking the reins of the CHIP working group and overseeing the future development of Matter. In July of the same year, Matter 1.0 was officially launched. The first Matter-certified devices hit the market at the end of the same year.
In 2022, Matter 1.1 will be released, introducing features such as multi-admin support and improved commissioning processes. In October 2023, Matter 1.2 will be available, adding support for new devices like smart blinds and garage door openers. Matter is expected to be a universal translator for your smart home devices. It's still in the early stages, but big tech players like Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung are already on board. With a growing number of Matter-certified devices hitting the market, it's clear that this is the future of the smart home.
Compatible devices
Currently, only a few devices work with Matter. More will be included after the firmware update, although some devices may remain incompatible.
Many Thread, Z-Wave, or Zigbee compatible devices should work with Matter. However, they may not have access to future updates. For information about specific devices and future support, contact the manufacturer. According to CSA, 1,214 devices have passed Matter certification as of October 2023, but many have not yet been released. All supported devices will have the Matter logo.
Most devices covered by Matter 1.0 include light bulbs, switches, media devices, HVAC controllers, thermostats, smart locks, garage door controllers, smart plugs, smart blinds, and security sensors. Subject 1.2 included air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, air purifiers, fans, smoke alarms and dishwashers. Various other devices, such as security cameras and electric vehicle charging, are also expected to come under the umbrella by 2024.
How the matter works
Manufacturers can integrate Matter support into their devices using software development kits (SDKs). The standard is inherently platform-agnostic and devices can be controlled via preferred smart home platforms, built-in phone controls or voice assistants – offering flexibility and choice.
The standard supports multiple administrators and end-to-end encryption. Matter is an IP-based protocol, which makes it familiar to existing network technologies. It is implemented at the network application layer and presents a common language for smart devices to communicate, discover each other, and exchange data.
Unify Matter Bridge is an application that makes legacy devices such as Z-Wave and Zigbee devices accessible on a Matter mesh. This is done by acting as an IoT service in a Unify framework. Silicon Labs offers two Matter development paths, both containing demos, examples and all the code needed to develop Matter accessory devices in Thread and Wi-Fi (Image: Silicon Labs)
Communication between devices typically occurs through a wire mesh network, a low-power technology. Devices “talk” directly to each other, creating a robust, self-healing network that works even during Internet outages. For devices that require higher bandwidth, such as cameras or streaming devices, Matter supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for seamless integration.
How to use matter
To use Matter, a controller and smart home platform app are required. Any smart home app can be used to control devices. You can also use any Matter controller as they are all compatible. Most smart hubs, speakers, and displays from brands like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung are Matter controllers. The standard is also integrated into Android and iOS, so Matter devices can be controlled from any smartphone or tablet. Older smart home systems will likely need to upgrade their hubs or bridges to work with Matter.
Conclusion
Matter is a promising technology. The protocol provides a universal language for smart devices to connect and communicate across a smart home network. However, it still has challenges to face. While major platform providers support the standard, they may want to keep product data private from their competitors. As such, Matter may remain limited in functionality.
The standard also faces problems with many Thread networks. Many users face failures when accessing devices from a different platform. Matter is evolving and is expected to eventually overcome these obstacles. It gives hope to home users who want the freedom to choose devices based on preference rather than compatibility.