Matter Smart Home Standard Version 1.2 Released with 6 New Device Categories

The Matter smart-home standard got a boost today with the release of Matter 1.2. This version provides support for bigger gadgets such as refrigerators, robot vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers, and much more. 

But it could be some time before major tech companies like Google and Apple start providing support for them through their Home apps. But when they do, you should be able to control your Roomba with Google Assistant and watch the thing become sentient.

There are nine different types of device which are now supported by Matter, from the announcement: 

1. Refrigerators – Beyond basic temperature control and monitoring, this device type is also applicable to other related devices like deep freezers and even wine and kimchi fridges.
2. Room Air Conditioners – While HVAC and thermostats were already part of Matter 1.0, stand alone Room Air Conditioners with temperature and fan mode control are now supported.
3. Dishwashers – Basic functionality is included, like remote start and progress notifications. Dishwasher alarms are also supported, covering operational errors such as water supply and drain, temperature, and door lock errors.
4. Laundry Washers – Progress notifications, such as cycle completion, can be sent via Matter. Dryers will be supported in a future Matter release.
5. Robotic Vacuums – Beyond the basic features like remote start and progress notifications, there is support for key features like cleaning modes (dry vacuum vs wet mopping) and additional status details (brush status, error reporting, charging status).
6. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms – These alarms will support notifications and audio and visual alarm signaling. Additionally, there is support for alerts about battery status and end-of-life notifications. These alarms also support self-testing. Carbon monoxide alarms support concentration sensing, as an additional data point.
7. Air Quality Sensors –  Supported sensors can capture and report on: PM1, PM 2.5, PM 10, CO₂, NO₂, VOC, CO, Ozone, Radon, and Formaldehyde. Furthermore, the addition of the Air Quality Cluster enables Matter devices to provide AQI information based on the device’s location.
8. Air Purifiers – Purifiers utilize the Air Quality Sensor device type to provide sensing information and also include functionality from other device types like Fans (required) and Thermostats (optional). Air purifiers also include consumable resource monitoring, enabling notifications on filter status (both HEPA and activated carbon filters are supported in 1.2).
9. Fans –Matter 1.2 includes support for fans as a separate, certifiable device type. Fans now support movements like rock/oscillation and new modes like natural wind and sleep wind. Additional enhancements include the ability to change the airflow direction (forward and reverse) and step commands to change the speed of airflow. 

The fact that other companies are getting into the Matter smart home standard, along with their products, can only boost Matter’s profile and reputation. It will also encourage potential users, who may be on the fence about using Matter, to give it a try if their household products are all covered. 

However, despite the announcement of these nine device types now being supported by Matter, two are conspicuously absent - security systems and cameras, which Matter still does not support. Why they are taking a long time to become integrated into Matter is anybody’s guess.

Source: CSA Consortium