The Zigbee Alliance is changing its name to the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The organization is also introducing the new brand Matter to highlight products that have adopted its connected home standards.
Matter is based on the industry group's Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP). Separate from the Zigbee standard, CHIP was started in 2019 to develop a standard for connecting smart home devices that works with all the major digital assistant systems. With backing from Google, Apple and Amazon, CHIP counts in total over 180 member organisations.
The first Matter specification was approved earlier this month, and the first devices should be certified by year-end. The Matter protocol will run on existing networking technologies such as Ethernet (802.3), Wi-Fi (802.11), and Thread (802.15.4) and for ease of commissioning, Bluetooth Low Energy.
Devices targeted for launch include lighting and electrical, HVAC controls, access controls, safety and security systems), window coverings/shades, TVs, access points and bridges. Early adopters include Comcast, Espressif Systems, Eve Systems, Grundfos, Huawei, Infineon, Leedarson, Legrand, Nanoleaf, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, Qorvo, Resideo, Schlage, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, SmartThings, Somfy, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Tuya Smart, Ubisys, Wulian, and Zumtobel Group.
Companies interested in accessing the specification and building devices with Matter can join the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
Zigbee for IoT
The alliance will continue to develop Zigbee technology for the wider IoT market and will retain the Zigbee technology brand. Over 350 organisations and more than 3,000 individuals belong to the group.
In 2020, over 560 new Zigbee devices were certified, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The group said Q1 certifications are already up over 50 percent on last year.
