Smart Home: Aqara Integrated Expanded Matter Functionality 0 Comments
Image: aqara
Aqara announces an expansion of the implementation of the Matter standard. The AQARA Home platform will soon integrate more than 50 types of Matter-compatible devices. In addition, the expanded Matter functionality introduced with the M3 Hub is now available from AQARA with all Matter controllers and bridges.
With these innovations, even more devices can be controlled via Aqara hubs and thus at the center of a single platform. Users can also connect the functions of Aqara devices with third-party Matter platforms.
Aqara relies entirely on cross-platform interoperability, which enables Matter. We believe an open ecosystem is essential to further establish smart home technologies. By expanding Matter support, we offer users more flexibility, customization options, and a better user experience across platform boundaries. In this way, we create real added value for our customers, regardless of their preferred platform.
Eugene You – Founder, CEO of Aqara
Expanded Matter Bridging Platforms
Aqara has been working closely with platforms like Alexa for years, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, Homey, and SmartThings together to ensure seamless compatibility for Aqara devices, and also spoke early on for Matter as a cross-vendor smart home standard.
Matter Networks Link
To further improve the connectivity of thread-enabled devices, Aqara has optimized its Thread Border Router to support the common use of thread networks and to connect with existing thread networks from other ecosystems such as Apple. Additionally, Aqara Thread Border Routers are being expanded to include the ability to communicate over various local area networks. Thread communication via LAN is in development and is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2025.
Aqara Works with Other Platforms
To offer more flexibility to users, Aqara initially introduced the expanded functionality of the Matter Bridge with the Hub M3. It allows the connection of Aqara device functions to third-party Matter platforms. To this end, users can use the AQARA Home app to convert individually created scenes and automations into virtual outlets and occupancy sensors, which can then be synchronized via Matter with other smart home platforms. This allows for the comprehensive use of features previously reserved for the AQARA ecosystem. These include, for example, the device’s internal AI detection in Aqara cameras and the creation of the FP2 presence sensor. Users can also use expanded features of the AQARA Automation Engine-For example, electricity automation, which can trigger various automations based on a device’s real-time power consumption.
The expanded Matter Bridge functionality is available in all current and upcoming Matter controllers, starting with the AQARA Hub M3, Camera Hub G5 Pro, Hub M100, and Doorbell Camera Hub G410. It is also available in older bridges such as the Hub M2, Hub M1S/M1S Gen 2, Hub E1, and Camera Hub G3. Aqara Matter controllers and bridges must have at least firmware version 4.3.4. To access this feature, AQARA Home version 5.1.4 or later is required.
Extended Matter Device Integration
With the release of the first Matter controller, the Hub M3, Aqara opened the Aqara Home Platform and its automation engine for integrating third-party Matter devices for home automation. With the update, over 50 device types are now supported in Matter. New Matter device types supported by Aqara Home include:
Vacuum cleaner satellite and co-armenist air quality sensor, frost and rain sensor curtains and blind fans and air purifiers, climate systems and water valves, heat pumps and solar modules, pump pressure sensors and MACs, battery cooler launchers and cooler cabinets
Updates available in April
Support for other Matter-compatible end device types is part of software update 5.1.9 for AQARA Home and firmware version 4.3.5 for the Matter controller. According to Aqara, both updates are expected to be released this month.
Themes: Aqara Matter Smart Home
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