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The Connectivity Standards Alliance has announced the release of Matter 1.4, the latest version of the smart home interoperability standard. This update introduces several key enhancements, including improved syncing across ecosystems, support for home network infrastructure devices, and new energy management capabilities.
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What is Matter?
Matter is an open-source, royalty-free smart home standard designed to ensure interoperability between connected devices and smart home platforms. Developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly the Zigbee Alliance) in collaboration with major tech companies, Matter aims to simplify the smart home experience for consumers while providing a unified platform for device manufacturers.
The standard utilises Wi-Fi and Thread for communication and supports various smart home devices, from lighting and thermostats to security systems and entertainment devices. By enabling devices from different manufacturers to work seamlessly together, Matter addresses the fragmentation issues that have long plagued the smart home industry.
Key Enhancements in Matter 1.4
Enhanced Multi-Admin
One of the core features of Matter is Multi-Admin, which allows users to control their devices through multiple smart home ecosystems. Matter 1.4 introduces Enhanced Multi-Admin, simplifying the process of connecting devices to multiple platforms.
With Enhanced Multi-Admin, users can now give a single consent for all their Matter devices to be shared across ecosystems. This eliminates the need to individually share each device, making it significantly easier to manage a smart home with multiple platforms.
For example, a user could set up their devices initially with Apple HomeKit and then easily add them to Google Home or Amazon Alexa without going through a tedious device-by-device sharing process.
Home Routers and Access Points (HRAP)
Matter 1.4 introduces support for Matter-certified Home Routers and Access Points (HRAP). These devices form the backbone of a Matter-enabled smart home network, combining Wi-Fi access point functionality with Thread Border Router capabilities.
Key features of HRAP devices include:
- Integrated Wi-Fi access point and Thread Border Router
- Secure directory for storing and sharing Thread network credentials
- Standardised approach for adding new devices to existing Thread networks
By incorporating these features into common household devices like routers, modems, and set-top boxes, Matter 1.4 aims to create a more robust and seamless smart home infrastructure.
Energy Management Enhancements
Matter 1.4 significantly expands on the energy management capabilities introduced in version 1.3. The update adds support for several new device types and enhances existing features to enable more comprehensive home energy management.
New Energy Device Types
- Solar Power Systems
- Support for inverters, panel arrays, and hybrid solar/battery systems
- Enables monitoring and management of solar energy production
- Batteries
- Includes support for battery walls, storage units, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Allows for energy discharge back into the home or grid, supporting “virtual power plant” concepts
- Heat Pumps
- Enables forecasting of energy consumption and usage adjustment during peak demand
- Supports pre-heating and energy shifting to off-peak times
- Water Heaters
- Allows for temperature or percentage-based control
- Introduces a “boost” command for rapid heating
- New Water Heater Mode cluster for easy scheduling toggles
Enhancements to Existing Device Types
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
- Added support for user-defined charging preferences
- Allows users to specify optimal charging times for convenience and cost savings
- Thermostats
- Enhanced scheduling capabilities
- Support for preset modes like vacation and home/away settings
- Integration with motion detection and calendar events for automated control
Device Energy Management
Matter 1.4 introduces a new Device Energy Management feature, allowing energy-consuming devices to adjust their start times based on energy usage forecasts and power management needs. This feature is particularly useful for optimising the consumption patterns of high-energy appliances.
Additionally, the new Device Energy Management Mode cluster enables easy switching between device-specific, local, or grid-wide energy optimisation strategies, providing greater flexibility in managing power across the home.
New Device Types: Mounted On/Off and Dimmable Load Control
Matter 1.4 introduces two new device types specifically designed for fixed in-wall smart home devices that control power to wired devices. These include in-wall switches for lights, fans, and other non-smart appliances. Previously, these devices were typically modelled as lights, which could limit user interface or automation flexibility.
Occupancy Sensing Improvements
The existing sensor cluster in Matter has been enhanced to support advanced sensing features, including:
- Radar sensing
- Vision-based sensing
- Ambient sensing technologies
The update also introduces customisable sensitivity settings and improved tuning for sensor and history reporting through event-based updates. These enhancements provide a more precise and adaptable smart home experience and lay the groundwork for future capabilities like person detection and activity classification.
Battery-Powered Device Optimisations
Matter 1.4 introduces several core enhancements aimed at optimising battery life and communication for Intermittently Connected Devices (ICDs) such as switches, buttons, and sensors.
Key updates include:
- Long Idle Time (LIT) protocol: Extends battery life for devices that spend significant time in sleep mode
- Check-In Protocol: Ensures reliable communication for low-power devices requiring LIT
- Quieter reporting of predictable attribute changes: Reduces network traffic, improving battery performance and network efficiency
Comparison with Matter 1.3
Matter 1.3, released earlier, introduced several features that have been built upon in version 1.4. Some key features of Matter 1.3 included:
- Support for new device types such as refrigerators, room air conditioners, robotic vacuums, dishwashers, washers, dryers, smoke and CO alarms, air quality sensors, and air purifiers
- Improved energy consumption reporting
- Enhanced access control for multi-admin scenarios
- Streamlined onboarding process for Thread devices
Matter 1.4 expands on these features, particularly in the areas of energy management and multi-admin functionality. The introduction of HRAP devices and the significant expansion of energy management capabilities represent major advancements over the previous version.
Impact on the Smart Home Ecosystem
The release of Matter 1.4 is expected to have a substantial impact on the smart home ecosystem:
- Improved Interoperability: With Enhanced Multi-Admin and HRAP support, users will find it easier to manage devices across multiple ecosystems, reducing ecosystem lock-in.
- Enhanced Energy Management: The new energy management features align with growing consumer interest in home energy efficiency and could drive adoption of smart home technology for energy savings.
- Simplified Network Infrastructure: HRAP devices will make it easier for users to set up and maintain robust smart home networks, potentially increasing the reliability of smart home systems.
- New Device Categories: Support for new device types like solar panels and batteries opens up possibilities for more comprehensive home energy management systems.
- Battery Life Improvements: Optimisations for battery-powered devices could lead to longer-lasting and more reliable sensors and controls.
Conclusion
Matter 1.4 marks an important advancement for smart homes, focusing on reducing complexity, enhancing energy management, and providing better infrastructure. The latest version of the Matter protocol provides many features that enthusiasts have been eager for, and with the growing number of Matter-enabled devices, these regular improvements are important to help maintain the momentum for Matter adoption.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
