New York IoT firm Aqara is integrating more than 50 types of Matter-enabled devices, making it easier for users to manage and automate their connected home devices in one centralised platform.

Additionally, the Matter bridging feature, initially introduced with the Hub M3, is now available on all Aqara Matter controllers and bridges. This feature helps users seamlessly bridge Aqara device functionalities to third-party Matter platforms.

“Aqara is fully committed to embracing cross-platform interoperability with Matter,” said Eugene You, CEO of Aqara (www.aqara.com). “We believe an open ecosystem is essential for the widespread adoption of smart home technology. By advancing Matter support, we offer users more flexibility, customisation and enhanced experiences across platforms, while providing even more value to our customers regardless of the platform they prefer.”

Tobin Richardson, CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (csa-iot.org), added: “We’ve seen tremendous growth and momentum for Matter, thanks in part to leading brands like Aqara, who are simplifying the consumer experience. Aqara’s expansion of Matter support across their hub and bridge products, along with the broadening of Matter device compatibility on their platform, is a testament to our shared vision of a simple, interoperable and powerful smart home future. We applaud the team at Aqara for achieving this impressive milestone.”

Interoperability has always been a priority in Aqara’s product design. For years, Aqara has partnered with platforms such as Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, Homey and SmartThings, to ensure seamless compatibility and an optimised user experience for Aqara devices.

As an early advocate of the industry-unifying Matter standard, Aqara has integrated Matter compatibility across its portfolio, including its classic Zigbee device line. To enhance connectivity among Thread-enabled devices, Aqara has optimised its Thread Border routers to support Thread network sharing, allowing them to join existing Thread networks from other ecosystems. Additionally, Aqara Thread Border routers will be enhanced with the capability to communicate across different local area networks. This approach should improve the robustness and reliability of the smart home experience.

Matter bridging on the Hub M3 is designed to bridge Aqara’s features and functionalities to third-party Matter platforms. It allows users to convert customised scenes and signals created within the Aqara Home app into virtual plugs and occupancy sensors, which can then be synchronised to other platforms via Matter. With this feature, users can bridge device functionalities previously exclusive to the Aqara ecosystem such as on-device AI detection in Aqara cameras and fall detection in the FP2. Additionally, users can bridge capabilities of Aqara’s automation engine, such as power automation, which can trigger different automations based on a device’s real-time power consumption.

The bridging feature is available across all existing and upcoming Aqara Matter controllers, including the Hub M3, Camera Hub G5 Pro, Hub M100 and Doorbell Camera Hub G410, as well as older Matter bridges such as the Hub M2, Hub M1S and M1S Gen 2, Hub E1, and Camera Hub G3. This allows more users to increase the capabilities of their smart homes, regardless of the Matter platform they choose.

The bridging feature is available across Aqara’s current line of Matter controllers and bridges through firmware version 4.3.4. To access this feature, Aqara Home version 5.1.4 or newer is required.

New Matter device types that are supported by Aqara Home include robotic vacuums, dimmable plugs, smoke and CO alarms, air quality sensors, leak, freeze and rain sensors, curtains and shades, fans and air purifiers, air conditioners and heat pumps, water valves and pumps, pressure sensors, solar panels and battery storage, vehicle chargers, laundry washers and dryers, refrigerators, cooktops, hoods and surfaces, ovens and stoves, water heaters, and video players and speakers

Support for additional Matter device types is included in Aqara Home version 5.1.9 and firmware version 4.3.5 for the Matter controllers, with these updates expected to be rolled out later this month.