Latin America. Connectivity Standards Alliance, CSA, formerly known as Zigbee Alliance, launched Matter, the secure and interoperable connectivity standard. for the future of the smart home.
The proliferation of connected objects continues to change the way we live, work and play. From homes to offices, factories to hospitals, connected objects allow us to experience our environments cohesively and interactively. However, for too long, disconnected platforms and disparate development paths have caused confusion for consumers and complicated processes for developers and innovators. Smart objects must be reliable, secure, and work together – this is the shared vision behind Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP), now known as the new standard, Matter.
Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Google, SmartThings and Connectivity Standards Alliance joined forces in 2019 to develop and promote this new standard, along with other Alliance board members IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, Somfy and Wulian. Now, there are more than 180 member organizations of all sizes, in a variety of business categories, and more than 1,700 individual members involved in realizing the Matter specification, reference implementations, testing tools, and certification programs.
Matter is the unified IP-based connectivity protocol built on proven technologies, which helps connect and build reliable and secure IoT ecosystems. This new technology and standard royalty-free connectivity enables communications between a wide range of smart devices. Matter is also a seal of approval, ensuring that any object built to this standard is reliable by nature, safe by design, and compatible to scale.
"We create trusted brands and Matter is an important milestone for users in our long history of providing unifying, secure, reliable and trusted standards for IoT," said Tobin Richardson, president and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. "I am very excited to present Matter as a critical element in delivering a truly connected world."
Key technological attributes
Matter makes it easier for device manufacturers to build devices and ensure they are compatible with voice and smart home services like Amazon's Alexa, Apple's HomeKit with Siri, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and others. The first specification version of the Matter protocol will run on existing network technologies such as Ethernet (802.3), Wi-Fi (802.11) and Thread (802.15.4) and, to facilitate commissioning, Bluetooth Low Energy.
Consumers get more choice, compatibility, and greater control of their experience. Developers get lower operating and development cost through a single SKU and more time for innovation. Retailers get reduced in-store complexity to create a more streamlined shopping experience, resulting in fewer returns for compatibility issues.
The key for developers is that Matter is not only a specification, but also offers an open source reference implementation in parallel. This generates tangible benefits for developers, including: faster time to market, less reliance on single-vendor stacks, improved quality, as they can access multiple use cases for testing, and increased security with full transparency in the community's ability to identify and submit patches.
The new connectivity symbol
Matter-branded products connect securely with more devices, more reliably than ever before. The Matter brand will serve as a seal of approval, taking the guesswork out of the buying process and allowing both businesses and consumers to choose from a wider range of brands to create safe, connected homes and buildings.
The new Symbol and the Matter wordmark tell their story of connectivity. The name was selected for its foundational nature. Matter is a fundamental element for life and now also for IoT. The three arrow shapes found in the Matter symbol communicate the brand's promise of convergence and connectivity in its most distilled visual form. Its geometric construction and triangular nature express security and utility. The badge on the product and packaging, with the Matter symbol and wordmark, indicates that a product is matter certified. The two-color visual identity has been simplified to represent day and night with gradients that evoke dynamic connections between products. The new Matter brand was developed in partnership with Interbrand, one of the world's leading brand consultancies.
Availability
In early May, the Matter Working Group approved the basic specification of complete features. Reaching this milestone gives members a definition of the main features for developing the open source implementation and testing the specification.
With this, the project is currently on track to see the first devices through certification by the end of 2021, according to the manufacturer's marketing plans. Devices intended for launch include lighting and electricity (e.g., light bulbs, luminaires, controls, plugs, sockets), HVAC controls (e.g., thermostats, air conditioning units), access controls (e.g., door locks, garage doors), security and security (e.g., sensors, detectors, security systems), window curtains/curtains, televisions, access points, bridges, and others.
Members poised to be early adopters Include: Amazon, ASSA ABLOY, Comcast, Espressif Systems, Eve Systems, Google, Grundfos Holding A/S, Huawei, Infineon Technologies, LEEDARSON, Legrand, Nanoleaf, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, Qorvo, Resideo, Schlage, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, SmartThings, Somfy, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Tuya Smart, ubisys, Wulian and Zumtobel Group.
