Connectivity Standards Alliance proposed the Matter 1.2 specification

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) recently announced the release of the Matter 1.2 connectivity standard, incorporating a myriad of internet-enabled devices including robotic vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, air quality sensors, air purifiers, indoor air conditioners, and fans. This enhancement serves to broaden support for a plethora of large-scale household appliances, facilitating users in integrating a more expansive range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

This update also heralds advanced control features for a multitude of devices. For instance, air conditioners and fans can now fine-tune temperature settings and operational modes. Additionally, for dishwashers, there’s the added capability of water supply, drainage, temperature adjustments, and troubleshooting. Washing machines too can now provide notifications about the progress of a cleaning cycle.

Contrasted with the interface standards proposed by the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), which predominantly operates through a C2C cloud-based interface, Matter boasts direct device-to-device communication, obviating the necessity for cloud intervention. It can even leverage edge computing to expedite inter-device connectivity. For example, if a temperature sensor detects an excessively warm household ambiance, it can autonomously activate the air conditioning or initiate a fan to mitigate the indoor temperature.

Prominent industry players, including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung, have all proclaimed their allegiance to the Matter protocol. Concurrently, numerous brands like Yeelight and Xiaomi have expressed their intention to incorporate Matter support in their upcoming products. This alignment seeks to enhance device interoperability, all while ensuring unified software interface control.

This announcement, heralding augmented support for an even broader device taxonomy, particularly numerous large-scale appliances, seemingly hints at the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s ambition for Matter to ascend as the predominant market connectivity standard, potentially rivaling the norms set forth by the Home Connectivity Alliance. As for the introduction of the Matter 1.2 standard, anticipations are set for 2024 for the unveiling of its associated products, given that the devices currently supporting the Matter protocol remain relatively scant.