Matter: All about this project that is revolutionizing the connected house

“Given the number of participants in the CSA and the brands that participate, this strengthens security requirements, whether personal data or the system itself” declares Christophe Bresson, director of communication means. Indeed, security is one of the bases on which Matter was founded. It is more secure by its nature, according to Philippe Gout, independent expert (Consultant Mission ENR Data): “With IPv6, we coded on 128 bits, it becomes serious. You can say that it is a really secure protocol. »»

Understand everything – What is Matter, the protocol that must facilitate the boom in the connected house?

The matter protocol must make the connected house accessible to all. By standardizing the exchanges, it must lift the current brakes of connectivity between devices of different brands.

Officially launched this November 3, the Matter protocol is a key element in the democratization of the connected home sector. This is the first initiative of this type in the field of home automation.

Thanks to him, certified devices will be compatible with each other, regardless of their manufacturer. For consumers, it is the assurance that a device will be able to integrate without fear within its installation.

• What is the matter protocol?

The Matter Protocol is a global project. It aims to standardize the communication means of the connected devices used as part of the connected house. It therefore defines a common language for all the Matt certified objects.

With him, the two key elements of home automation – orders and communication channels – are now governed with the same rule for all manufacturers. Proof of the importance and the need to set up such a device, 220 players in home automation have already joined the Matter protocol.

• What problem does this protocol answer?

Within a connected house, devices from different brands can coexist. Although very banal, this situation opens the way to disagreements between connected objects. Each manufacturer can define the same action in a way of their own. These particularities can lead to an incomprehension within an installation comprising several devices. It is this possibility that the Universal Matter Protocol attacks.

• What is the issue for the connected house?

Today, the uncertainty of buyers around compatibility is a brake on purchase. The matter protocol must therefore facilitate purchases of connected objects for the house. It is a question of making the sector accessible to the greatest number.

The expected democratization thanks to this new protocol is a key step so that this type of purchase is no longer reserved for an audience of initiates. Now ensured by Matter, the compatibility between the devices must make it possible to add objects.

This opens the way to the creation of complex use scenarios. Thus, the opening of a window can trigger the stop of the heating as well as a motion detection can light a light.

• What is the impact for products already installed?

Current installations should not be injured by this introduction. On the one hand, some devices will be updated to comply. On the other, the new common system has planned to ensure a “bridge” between objects made before the Matter protocol. Thus, he provides that new generation objects will be able to link with older generation those.

As for the future, as soon as three actors from the Alliance of Connectivity Standards (CSA) – The entity that governs the Matter protocol – will wish to add a new type of product to the device, a working group will be launched. He will be responsible for the definition of use cases to be treated. It is then a technical working group that takes over in order to provide the specifications that all actors in the Matter protocol will apply.

Matter: All about this project that is revolutionizing the connected house

Officially launched on November 3, the Matter home automation protocol promises to simplify the management of our connected objects. We explain everything about this very ambitious project.

Matter is now officially launched. © Connectivity Standards Alliance

Matter arrives in version 1.0 and it will change your life, this is the title of our article published at the beginning of the month. We then mentioned the arrival of the final version of this home automation protocol which wants to connect all the objects of the house. A month later, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)-formerly Zigbee Alliance-made an appointment in Amsterdam for its launch event.

The opportunity for members to make announcements and come back to the interest of this highly anticipated protocol.

Matt, what is it ?

Initially known as chip (for Project Connected Home Over IP), the matter protocol is not just a simple home automation protocol. Its mission is to standardize communication between connected objects of the house.

With Matter, our “intelligent” devices will speak the same language; bringing down the barriers that exist today for total interoperability. The alliance at the origin of this project explains wanting secure, reliable and easy -to -use devices. “This is a major inflection point for the IoT. While we become more connected and slaughter the walls between the digital and physical world, we must work together to make these connections significant. Matter and our members attack this front challenge “, explains Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of Connectivity Standards Alliance.

Why do we need to matter ?

Currently, the many connected devices available on the market are unable to communicate with each other. With Matter, the border breaks to allow a compatible object to chat with another device, regardless of its manufacturer or interface. The protocol promises that these devices of different brands will natively work together, without going through the cloud. Indeed, the protocol offers this interoperability locally.

For the CSA manager, Matter has the “Power to create a more connected, safe and useful smart house”. Matter must also serve as a click for users waiting to go to home automation. According to the CSA, 35 % of households on the main European markets intend to buy products for the smart home in the next 12 months.

Advance the connected house

Thanks to its simple operation, Matter aims to make the concept of connected house more accessible. Current barriers slow down the interest of users, most often limiting objects connected to an informed audience. The protocol changes the situation and opens the way to a really intelligent house.

Indeed, the fact of offering the same language to all devices facilitates the setting of complex scenarios. For example, it can be possible to automatically turn the light when closing a window and starting the heating. This can be done from a single application, a device or a voice assistant.

In fact, it is already possible to carry out this type of action by caring for compatibility or by juggling between the solutions of each brand. A recent study conducted by Associate Parks reports that interoperability is a priority for consumers today.

How Matt works ?

Designed to be based on the IP protocol, Matter provides communication between connected objects on the same network. If the exchanges are standardized, they can be done through various technologies such as Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth or Thread technology or technology. Note that Matter is also compatible with cellular technologies, such as 4G or 5G. Finally, it is based on a free approach to reach the maximum of actors.

A bridge between all connected objects

On paper, the protocol promises a real revolution and brings us closer to the “intelligent” house as imagined in the 2000s. For consumers, this is the concept of transparency that is largely put forward. Opt for a compatible product should allow it to be easily integrated into your installation. We think for example of a connected bulb or an intelligent socket, which can be ordered from any system or application.

Matter will take care of direct communication between devices without disrupting user habits. The latter will continue to find different products and ecosystems, offered by actors like Apple, Amazon or Google.

For an Apple user, it is the assurance of being able to control any Matter device via Maison. Same observation for an Android user or owner of a Windows PC, who will be able to manage his installation without worrying about compatibility.

Manufacturers are interested in Matt ?

Yes, the manufacturers have decided to massively reach the Matter protocol.

It currently brings together more than 550 companies that revolve around the universe of home automation. Today, 220 market players indicate that they support the protocol. Among the firms interested are giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, Comcast, Huawei, Ikea, LG, Philips and Samsung SmartThings. There are also French companies like Legrand, Stmicroelectronics or Schneider Electric.

In Amsterdam, the CSA made a point on the situation. She assures that the momentum “Has continued to accelerate” Since the release of Matter. In the capital of the Netherlands, members have presented compatible products, including movement blinds, presence sensors, meteorological devices, intelligent sockets, door locks or devices the lighting. “Since the release, 190 products have received certification or have been awaiting test and certification”, Add the CSA.

In the future, Matter should also support devices such as cameras or household appliances. The protocol also works on the possibility of managing the closure of doors and gates, managing the sensors and controls of environmental quality, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or movement and presence detection.

Will my connected objects be compatible matter ?

Matter’s interest is not to limit yourself to future products. Existing devices can be updated to support the protocol and develop current installations. The solution also provides that new equipment will be able to communicate with those of old generation. Firms like Google or Amazon have already announced updates of several of their connected devices.

The Mountain View firm has already said that all of its connected devices (screens, speakers, routers, etc.) will be updated to become matter compatible. During the event in Amsterdam, Amazon followed the step of his rival to announce the care of Matter by 17 aircraft from the Echo range.

Other manufacturers – such as Philips Hue – have made similar announcements. This should continue in the coming weeks.

Still limited beginnings

Behind this announcement with great fanfare, it should be remembered that the protocol is only in its infancy. Several times delayed, its deployment may take time; Even if we have to expect the arrival of many matter compatible products in the coming months.

For the time being, we observe that it is mainly the lighting and the connected sockets that take care of the standard. Note also that some devices are content with partial care. So there is still work before Matter becomes essential, but it is already a very good start.

Matter: Everything you need to know about this protocol that could change the connected house

The Matter home automation protocol arrives with its share of promises. How is it so different from others ? And why does it have all its chances of establishing itself as a universal protocol in the smart house ?

After being announced several times and then pushed back, Matter was officially launched on November 3 in Amsterdam. In addition to wanting to make all connected equipment compatible, it presents itself as secure, less energy delicious, easier to install and use.

Interoperability objective

The Matter project started from an observation: the house connected objects use different protocols that coexist but have difficulty communicating. Manufacturers have therefore gathered within the CSA (Connectivity Standards Alliance), formerly ZigBee Alliance, with the desire to develop a common communication protocol, with the objective of total interoperability.

“Today, we have a patchwork of different systems that do not communicate with each other. There may be a first attempt with vocal assistants to unify things. But Matter goes further. It is not only the vocal assistant who communicates with each product, but it is really the products that communicate with each other, with the same language “, explains Guillaume Etorre, managing director in charge of the Delta Dore Smart Home pole.

Matter 1.0 is already designed to evolve and ultimately support all the connected devices of the house.

A protocol that does not start from zero

Matter is based on known and proven communication technologies: wifi, ethernet, bluetooth le, thread. “Matter is a new protocol that uses technologies from the Internet for the first time – so IP technology – in connected home objects. He was born from the meeting of radio technologies which have been brought until then by the industrialists of the house, who found themselves for many within the Zigbee alliance, and Google, Amazon and Apple, which bring part of their Know-how on low-consumption IP (Thread, Google brings it) or on the installation process (and that’s Apple who brings it with Homekit) ”, Details Marc Westermann, Product and Services Director at Somfy.

Safety as a base

“Given the number of participants in the CSA and the brands that participate, this strengthens security requirements, whether personal data or the system itself” declares Christophe Bresson, director of communication means. Indeed, security is one of the bases on which Matter was founded. It is more secure by its nature, according to Philippe Gout, independent expert (Consultant Mission ENR Data): “With IPv6, we coded on 128 bits, it becomes serious. You can say that it is a really secure protocol. »»

Manufacturers also have the obligation to have their products certified. Florian Deleuil, Vice President of Product Management at Netatmo (group Legrand) brings us some details: “Each Matter product will have a code that will have to be scanned. This code hides a single certificate issued by a certification authority. As I scan, my phone or my application knows that it is a real matter product. »» This avoids creating a flaw or letting a “spy” product enter, since an unit certified object cannot reach the network.

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What it will change concretely

Let us recall the main characteristics of Matter.

• A standardized and facilitated installation thanks to QR codes and Bluetooth. It is even a question that the NFC joins the party, which would still be under discussion.

• Matter construction as a mesh network: “Previously, a hub was needed to distribute the protocol inside the house, while now we have a network. All equipment can serve as a relay. Google’s systems will be able to relay information to Philips, who will be able to relay it to Samsung … If the information is not for him, he transmits it to his neighbor “, Unroll Philippe Gout.

• Local operation and regardless of Internet connection. According to Florian Deleuil (Netatmo), on this point, Matter is inspired by Apple Homekit. “Until now, there have been two approaches in the connected house. The homekit approach, which works locally, that is to say with software that turns in the object itself and speaks to its local network. And then the API approach where, to be able to speak to other objects, the product speaks to its server, the server speaks to another server of another brand and this other brand brings back information to its product. Information goes around the world while the products are in the same place. And if there is an internet cut, it no longer works. »»

• The possibility of piloting any matter object from any matter compatible application, regardless of brands and bones-and even simultaneously (which CSA baptizes multi-addmin). Each family member will be able to control equipment as he wishes.

• Another advantage of Matter: this is an open source protocol. “It’s software, it is not hardware. So in each embedded system of each manufacturer, we will be able to put a piece of program that will make it compatible with Matter ”, Explain actually Philippe Gout. For example, some manufacturers of heating or household appliances could implement it in their equipment.

• Ultimately, Matter will support all categories of devices, which will easily manage complex scenarios. Florent Bérard, VP Strategy, Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric gives an example. “Connecting is also having a wider reception of information that allows you to understand and pilot. By piloting, you can save money. You can take the example of an oven and heating. If we have the heating and the oven that work in the kitchen, the oven gives off heat so we may not need to heat in the same way. Interoperability between apparatus that apparently has nothing to do with direct optimization. »» If today the user still needs to program his choices, an algorithm could very well manage it independently.

Among these partner companies are the giants of the web Amazon, Google and Apple. They were joined by big names from different universes such as Samsung, Haier, LG, Huawei, Ikea, Legrand, Schneider Electric, Signoy (Philips Hue), Somfy or Texas Instruments … This is still to matt a so special protocol. And, according to Florian Deleuil (Netatmo), it emerges the best: “It is a protocol that takes the best of all worlds. Who, for the first time, brings together GAFA (Google, Apple, Amazon), Actors of the Industry (Schneider, Legrand, Velux, Somfy), Tech Actors (Netatmo..), Habitat actors (IKEA), component manufacturers (Nordic, ST) … “

So, who would now have an interest in playing rider alone ? Florence Delettre, Director General of the Promotelec association, assures us that the members of the association (notably Ignes) believe it hard as iron: “We are on a boulevard which will allow us to communicate all the objects of the smart house, in a simplified way, by gaining interoperability … It is also important to specify that it works with existing technologies. They are convinced that Matter is more than walking. »»

What about old generation devices ?

One wonders if the old generation devices will be compatible with Matter. Question to which manufacturers will provide different answers. Some plan to update their box when their ecosystem uses one or market a gateway to ensure the compatibility of old generation equipment.

None consider that users must re -equip. “At Somfy, our flagship product is the rolling shutter engine. We sell millions each year and when we install them in a house, they will last 20 years. You expect us that your product works and that it is not necessary to change it whenever someone has had the idea of ​​a new standard “, ABON MARC WESTERMANN.

Same bell sound on the side of Delta Dore, who says it puts a point of honor to “Protect investment” of its customers. “Staying compatible with Matter is also a question of sustainable development for us. It is to avoid obsolescence of products and allow our equipment to stay installed longer “, Complete Guillaume Etorre.

Nevertheless, there are still some limits. “To run Matter, you need a fairly powerful processor. He must have enough memory to run all these encryption keys. Not all existing processors are compatible ”, admits Florian Deleuil (Netatmo). Maybe some very old devices cannot be updated. In which case, they will continue to operate, but without allowing to trigger intelligent scenes in a Matter ecosystem.

Florence Delettre (Promotelec) relativizes: “Anyway, there will happen a moment when the old devices will end obsolete and the new equipment that will be built will be compatible Matter. »» It is also in this way that the protocol will enter into the accommodation, little by little, during needs, updates, but also renewals.

As for the gradual deployment of Matter, which will not support all the objects immediately, users who have already connected their house can reassure themselves: “We do not erase to rewrite. An existing protocol continues to be existing. Simply, we will allow this protocol to integrate into a new protocol which has a much wider power and scope ”, According to Florent Bérard (Schneider Electric).

Why it takes so much time ?

The CSA promises updates every six months to provide matters with new features or compatibility with new product typologies. After the formalization of Matter in November, we could have expected a surge of announcements at CES in Las Vegas. Matter was clearly visible on many stands, but the tsunami did not take place. Nanoleaf announced some lighting products, some matter compatible televisions were unveiled, while Google and Amazon had drew before the show to announce Matter compatibility, as well as Samsung.

Most of our interlocutor evoke a horizon of three to five years to see Matter mature and democratize. Florian Deleuil (Netatmo) confirms: “Before allowing exceptional automation, we will have to wait until the whole ecosystem is matter compatible. In the next two or three years, Matter will be the assurance that it works with voice assistants. »» Netatmo does not intend to rush to offer updates, which would bring nothing more in its users to its users.

Most of our interlocutor evoke a horizon of three to five years to see Matter mature and democratize.

On the CSA website, we see the number of certified products expanding (just over 4,000 currently). But we can be surprised not to see the announcements of Matter Products, Applications and Updates Saving. Guillaume Etorre (Delta Dore) helps us put our feet on the ground: “We are not only in the tech world. We are in the world of building. The cycles are slower, but more sustainable. »»

In this area, users are entitled to expect a certain sustainability, for example when they have roller shutters or a connected electric counter installed. Marc Westermann (Somfy) also evokes the technical challenges that house manufacturers must meet a wide variety of devices and must make everything compatible, including old equipment. “We start from known things. However, it is a lot of work within the alliances to come not only to agree, but in addition to developing the bricks – because they are disparate bricks that must be assembled to reach a coherent whole and robust. We are talking about millions of objects and hundreds of manufacturers concerned. »» And even if it will take a little patience, he believes that on the scale of the building industry, things are going quickly.

This is a transitional state during which consumers can turn without taking too much risk to products stamped Matter. This is the assurance that they will be compatible with their future ecosystem and will evolve.

Since the time that we hope this universal protocol in the field of connected house, is it so important that it is quickly deployed ? More than 200 manufacturers of such diverse horizons, sometimes competitive, with trade policies and divergent interests, who unite their strengths to develop a common standard: we especially have the impression of attending something new. In the end, the gestation was long; The road to maturity will also be. You will still have to be patient before seeing the house connected really switching to the Matt universe.