Have a ton of smart home devices but struggle to manage them all across multiple different apps and platforms? We’ve talked about Matter before, but it is a smart home device communication standard that brings the ability for smart home devices to talk to and work with each other natively. This lets you use one app to control multiple devices from multiple different vendors, instead of one app per device.
A new version of Matter, 1.4, has been released by the Connectivity Standards Alliance. This new version offering significant updates for device manufacturers and platforms. This new iteration aims to enhance the user experience in the multi-ecosystem smart home environment, improve network reliability and interoperability with Matter-certified Home Routers and Access Points, and expand energy management capabilities. The update is a result of the collaboration of hundreds of member companies and the work of thousands of engineers and experts worldwide, reflecting a commitment to advancing the smart home landscape.
Matter 1.4 has a heavy focus on expanding energy management within smart homes. New device types, such as solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and water heaters, have been introduced, enhancing the ability to automate and optimize energy use. The update builds on energy reporting capabilities from previous versions, providing more sophisticated energy management solutions. The new features aim to support smarter energy consumption and allow consumers to manage their energy use more effectively, potentially lowering energy costs.
Matter 1.4 also makes it much easier for multiple people to manage a smart home together. The Enhanced Multi-Admin feature in Matter 1.4 streamlines the management of smart home devices across multiple ecosystems. This update simplifies the process of connecting devices to various smart home systems through single user consent. This feature provides developers with flexible implementation options, allowing them to tailor the experience to their specific applications. The Connectivity Standards Alliance plans to release further information detailing the functionality of HRAP and Enhanced Multi-Admin features.
Home Routers and Access Points (HRAP) have been upgraded in Matter 1.4 to support smarter home networks. These devices, including routers, modems, access points, and set-top boxes, are now designed to bolster Matter-enabled smart homes by integrating Wi-Fi access points and Thread Border Routers. This integration facilitates a more seamless addition of new Thread devices to existing networks, reducing fragmentation and building a unified Thread mesh network. The HRAP roadmap includes plans for further enhancements to smart home infrastructure, aligned with improvements in Thread 1.4.
Additional features in Matter 1.4 include support for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) with user-defined charging preferences, improved scheduling and preset modes for thermostats, and new device types for mounted on/off and dimmable load control. There are also updates to occupancy sensing, offering enhanced sensing capabilities and customizable sensitivity settings. These updates are designed to improve the precision and adaptability of smart home systems, laying the groundwork for future advancements in sensing technologies.
For more detailed information on Matter 1.4 and its features, visit CSA’s website here.
