| Matter smart home connectivity standard | |
 | |
| Status | Published[1] |
|---|---|
| Year started | December 18, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-12-18) |
| First published | October 4, 2022; 20 months ago (2022-10-04) |
| Latest version | 1.3 5 May 2024 |
| Committee | |
| Authors | The connectivity standards alliance and open source contributors |
| Base standards | Internet Protocol (IP) |
| Related standards | Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Wi-Fi, Aliro |
| Domain |
|
| License | Proprietary, by certification. Code and documentation published under the Apache License. |
| Website | csa-iot |
Matter is a freely available connectivity standard for smart home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.[2][3][4] It aims to improve interoperability and compatibility between different manufacturer and security, and always allowing local control as an option.[5][6][7]
The standard is royalty-free,[8] though developers and manufacturers incur certification costs.[9] It originated in December 2019 as the Project Connected Home over IP (orCHIP for short) working group, founded by Amazon, Apple, Google and the Zigbee Alliance, now called the Connectivity Standards Alliance.[3][5] Subsequent members include IKEA, Huawei, and Schneider.[10][11] Version 1.0 of the specification was published on 4 October 2022.[1][12][13] The Matter software development kitisopen-source under the Apache License.[14]
Matter-compatible software updates for many existing hubs became available in late 2022,[15][16][17] with Matter-enabled devices and software updates expected to be released during 2023.[needs update][18]
In December 2019, Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung SmartThings and the Zigbee Alliance announced the collaboration and formation of the working group of Project Connected Home over IP. The goal of the project is to simplify development for smart home product brands and manufacturers while increasing the compatibility of the products for consumers.[19][20]
The standard operates on Internet Protocol (IP) and functions via one or more "controllers" that connect and manage devices within your local network, eliminating the need for multiple proprietary hubs. Matter-certified products are engineered to operate locally and do not depend on an internet connection for their core functions.[21] Leveraging IPv6 addressing,[22] the standard facilitates seamless communication with cloud services. Its goal is to facilitate interoperability among smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services, employing a specific suite of IP-based networking technologies such as mDNS and IPv6.[23] By adhering to a network design that operates at the Application Layer of the OSI 7 layer model, Matter differs from protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave and theoretically can function on any IPv6-enabled network. Presently, official support is limited to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and the wireless mesh network Thread.[24]
Updates to the standard are planned to occur biannually.[25]
For future versions, the working group has been working on support for ambient motion and presence sensing, environmental sensing and controls, closure sensors, energy management, Wi-Fi access points, cameras, and major appliances.[25]
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) maintains the official list of Matter certified products,[31] and restricts use of the Matter logo to certified devices. Matter product certification is also stored on the CSA's Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL),[32] which publishes attestation information about certified devices.
| Company | Platforms | Device types | Hub(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOS | Bridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact, flow, humidity, illuminance, motion, occupancy, pressure, & temperature), speakers, thermostats, and window coverings (except tilting)[33] |
| |
| Samsung | Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, Windows | Bridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact & motion), televisions, thermostats, and window coverings[36][37] |
|
| Apple | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS | Air conditioners, bridges, lights, locks, outlets, switches, blinds & shades, sensors (motion, ambient light, contact, temperature, and humidity), thermostats, and window coverings[40] |
|
| Amazon | Android, iOS, iPadOS | Lights, locks, outlets, switches, sensors (contact), thermostats, and window coverings[41] |
|
* denotes Thread support included
The primary goal of Matter is to improve interoperability for the current smart home ecosystem. The CSA and its members aim for the Matter logo to become ubiqituous and for consumers to instantly recognise it as a smart home device that will "just work".[42]
There are numerous other benefits that Matter brings when compared to the current smart home ecosystem:
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