Aqara added support for 50 new Matter devices and opened up to third-party platforms
Aqara has taken a major step toward full compatibility with Matter, the universal standard for the smart home. In an upcoming update, Aqara’s ecosystem will gain support for more than 50 new device types, as well as expand integration with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and other platforms through advanced bridging technology.
Aqara’s ecosystem will support more than 50 new device types, as well as expand integration with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and other platforms through advanced bridging technology.
This update makes Aqara one of the most versatile and compatible platforms in the smart home market, along with Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant.
Now it’s not just sensors and lights that work with Matter
While previously only basic Aqara devices – such as motion, light, temperature and light sensors – could be connected via Matter, the list of compatible equipment has been expanded significantly. Among the new categories:
- Vacuum Cleaner Robots
- Dimmable outlets
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Air quality, leak, freeze and rain sensors
- Blinds, shades and drives
- Fans, air purifiers, air conditioners, heat pumps
- Electromagnetic valves and pumps
- Water pressure and atmospheric pressure
- Solar panels and energy storage systems
- Charging stations for electric vehicles
- Washing machines and dryers
- Fridges, freezers, ovens and cooktops
- Video players, speakers, media servers and more
The update will become available later this month with the release of Aqara Home version 5.1.9 and Matter Controller firmware 4.3.5.
Advanced bridge connectivity for next-generation smart home
The key innovation is the introduction of advanced bridging, a technology first introduced in the Aqara M3 hub. It will now be available on other Aqara Matter controllers, including even the budget Hub M100.
The key innovation is the introduction of advanced bridging, a technology first introduced in the Aqara M3.
- Connect Matter devices that are not yet supported by the chosen platform (e.g. Apple Home or Google Home);
- Use Aqara’s sophisticated features – like facial, gesture, drop, or energy consumption recognition – in any Matter-compatible ecosystem.
Face recognition in the Aqara G4 video call, for example, could be introduced to Apple Home as a virtual presence sensor – and used for automation that turns on lights when you return home. Similarly, parcel recognition, fall detection, or control through gestures could be “translated” into platform-understandable formats, such as virtual sensors or switches.
For example, the Aqara G4 video call could be presented in Apple Home as a virtual sensor or switch.
These features are not part of the Matter standard and require in-house development from the hub manufacturer. Home Assistant has similar capabilities, but in the case of Aqara, they’re becoming available on a more mainstream level.
Aqara is building an open and flexible ecosystem
The company emphasizes that the main goal remains to maximize compatibility and flexibility for the user. Aqara works with Apple, Google, Amazon, SmartThings, and supports Zigbee and Thread protocols. Some of the company’s hubs can act as Thread edge routers and connect to existing networks from HomePod, Echo, and Nest Hub – depending on the implementation on the platform side.
Aqara’s hubs can act as Thread edge routers and connect to existing networks from HomePod, Echo, and Nest Hub – depending on the implementation on the platform side.
Aqara CEO Eugene Yu said the expanded support for Matter is a temporary solution that should give users access to maximum functionality until Matter as a standard learns to work with more advanced automation scenarios.
