Aqara Expands Matter Support and Introduces Advanced Bridging
The smart home industry is constantly evolving, with companies pushing the boundaries of what is possible with their products and platforms. Aqara, a well-known player in the market, has recently made a significant move to expand its Matter support and introduce advanced bridging capabilities. This development is poised to make Aqara one of the most comprehensive smart home platforms in terms of Matter support. Matter, a new standard for smart home devices, has gained significant traction in recent times. It provides a single protocol for devices to communicate with each other, making it easier for users to integrate their devices from different manufacturers into a single, unified ecosystem. With Aqara’s expanded Matter support, users will be able to control and automate their devices from multiple platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. Aqara has announced that it will be adding support for over 50 new Matter device types, including robotic vacuums, dimmable plugs, smoke and CO alarms, air quality sensors, and many others. This is in addition to the sensors, thermostats, switches, and lights that were already supported. The new Matter device types will enable users to create complex automations and scenes using Aqara’s advanced automation features. The company is also introducing advanced bridging capabilities, which will allow users to integrate Aqara’s advanced automation features into any Matter-compatible smart home platform. This means that users will be able to use Aqara’s G4 Video Doorbell’s facial recognition feature as a trigger in an Apple Home automation that turns their lights on when they come home. Similarly, Aqara’s advanced automation features can be used in Amazon Alexa and Google Home platforms. Advanced bridging is not native to the Matter specification, but rather a feature developed by hub manufacturers to enable interoperability. Aqara’s advanced bridging feature allows users to translate Aqara’s proprietary automation features into virtual entities that can be used in other platforms. For example, Aqara’s fingerprint sensing feature can be translated into a virtual “occupancy sensor” that can be used in Apple Home. The new update will roll out with Aqara Home version 5.1.9 and Matter Controller firmware version 4.3.5 later this month. Aqara has stated that it believes interoperability is essential to the smart home industry’s future growth, and this update is a significant step towards achieving that goal. Aqara has a long history of working with major smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. The company’s hubs work with its line of Zigbee-based smart home products, and several are also Thread border routers. This allows Aqara’s hubs to join existing Thread networks managed by Apple HomePods, Amazon Echos, or Google Nest hubs, for example. The expanded Matter support and advanced bridging capabilities will provide users with greater flexibility and ensure that Aqara products remain useful across a wide range of platforms. Aqara’s CEO, Eugene You, has stated that “By extending Matter support, we aim to offer users greater flexibility and ensure that Aqara products remain useful across a wide range of platforms.”
The benefits of Aqara’s advanced bridging feature are numerous. For example, users can use Aqara’s advanced automation features and scenes in any Matter-compatible platform. This means that users can create complex automations and scenes that combine devices from different manufacturers. Here are some of the new Matter device types that will be supported by Aqara:
- Robotic vacuums
- Dimmable plugs
- Smoke and CO alarms
- Air quality sensors
- Leak, freeze, and rain sensors
- Curtains and blinds
- Fans and air purifiers
- Air conditioners and heat pumps
- Water valves and pumps
- Pressure sensors
- Solar panels and battery storage
- Electric vehicle chargers
- Washing machines and dryers
- Fridges and freezers
- Cooktops, hoods, and kitchen surfaces
- Ovens and stoves
- Water heaters
- Video players and speakers
Aqara’s advanced bridging feature is not limited to just Matter devices. It can also be used with non-Matter devices, allowing users to bridge devices that are not yet supported by a platform into those ecosystems. The advanced bridging feature is a stopgap solution that allows users to access Aqara’s full features in any Matter platform until (or if) Matter gains support for these more advanced features. It is essentially a way to translate Aqara’s proprietary automation features into virtual entities that can be used in other platforms. In addition to advanced bridging, Aqara is also optimizing its hubs to support Thread network sharing. This should help provide a stronger network for Thread smart home devices. Aqara’s commitment to interoperability and its advanced bridging capabilities make it an attractive option for smart home users. With its expanded Matter support and advanced bridging feature, Aqara is well-positioned to become a central part of the Matter smart home. The benefits of Aqara’s advanced bridging feature are numerous. It also provides users with greater flexibility and ensures that Aqara products remain useful across a wide range of platforms. In conclusion, Aqara’s expanded Matter support and advanced bridging capabilities are a significant development for the smart home industry. With its ability to integrate devices from multiple platforms and its commitment to interoperability, Aqara is well-positioned to become a leader in the smart home market. As the smart home industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Aqara’s advanced bridging feature and expanded Matter support impact the market.