Connected home: Matter 1.5 extends its standard to cameras and other equipment

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) unveils Matter 1.5, the new version of the standard intended to make connected objects from different brands work together. Following reliability-focused updates earlier in the year, this edition marks a more ambitious step by integrating several popular device categories.

Cameras finally compatible with Matter

This is the main new feature: Matter now supports cameras. Until now, each manufacturer used its own protocols, making interactions between brands limited. With version 1.5, the cameras will be able to natively integrate into any Matter compatible ecosystem.

The devices will be able to stream video and audio via WebRTC, a technology used for video calls. The standard also provides for the management of zoom, panning, detection zones and recordings, whether stored locally or in the cloud. For the user, this promises simplified installations and more freedom to combine different models in the same home.

More consistent control for openings and in the garden

This desire to simplify use through interoperability also extends to the management of closures, a category which includes garage doors as well as gates, rolling shutters or blinds and curtains. The new specifications propose a modular architecture which allows manufacturers to precisely declare the type of movement of their equipment.

Concretely, this means that a brand A gate motor will be able to communicate its exact state (open, closed or half-open) to a brand B control system without requiring a specific gateway. For the user, it is the assurance of being able to centralize the closing of the entire house in a single gesture, without worrying about the brand of motors installed.

Another notable arrival: ground sensors. These small devices, capable of measuring soil humidity or temperature, make it possible to optimize watering of plants or the garden. Coupled with Matter compatible valves or irrigation systems, they can automate watering and avoid waste.

Finer energy management

The update also reflects the industry’s desire to support the energy transition of homes. Matter 1.5 introduces protocols that allow devices to share complex data about electricity pricing and carbon footprint.

Manufacturers of household appliances or charging stations for electric vehicles (bidirectional charging included) can thus design devices capable of reacting intelligently to prices in real time or providing users with more precise information on the real cost of their uses.

From now on, the ball is in the industrialists’ court. With the technical specification officially published, the development teams of the different brands can begin to implement it. However, you will have to wait a few months to see the first Matter 1.5 certified products arrive on the shelves or to see the software updates land on existing hardware.