What smart home impovements can you expect in Matter 1.5 -- and when is it coming?

Development of the Matter smart home has shifted from releasing two major versions per year to delivering multiple minor updates in between. The recent launch of Matter 1.4.1 suggests delays for Matter 1.5, which is expected to include several major new features currently in development.

So, what can you expect in the next significant update? Here’s everything we know so far.

*Information in this article is mainly sourced from GitHub and supported by secondary references. Since features are still under development, the final release may differ from current leaks.

More love for outdoors

Matter 1.5 is expected to introduce two new device types for outdoor and garden use: irrigation and soil sensors.

Irrigation, or sprinkler control, is anticipated to be an extension of the existing Water Valve device type. We expect features such as on/off, zone management, scheduling, mode control, and flow measurement to be included in this category.

Soil sensors, on the other hand, are essentially thermometers equipped with combined humidity and temperature sensing, but specifically designed for measuring soil conditions. This new humidity measurement is expected to be distinguished by a name referencing as soil measurement.

These additions should enable more robust gardening automation, helping save on utility bills while keeping your plants healthy.

Extension of closures

Previously, only door locks and window coverings were included in Matter’s “closures” category. In Matter 1.5, we anticipate an expansion to this category to accommodate more smart applications.

Documentation indicates the arrival of three new general application clusters: Closure, Closure Panel, and Closure Controller. Several specific devices are listed on GitHub, including awnings, barriers, blinds, cabinets, curtains, doors, garage doors, gates, pergolas, screens, shades, shutters, and windows.

Like window coverings, these device types are expected to feature on/off and level control capabilities, broadening Matter’s reach in automated home systems.

Diversified climate control appliances

Three new climate-related device types are slated for inclusion in Matter 1.5: Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, and Thermostat Controllers.

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers are expected to offer fan or level control, along with visible attributes such as remaining water levels for easier maintenance, without the need for manufacturer-specific apps.

The thermostat controller device type, recently added in drafts, is a great fit for products like the Aqara W100 climate sensor, which controls room thermostats. Features like binding, group control, and scenes are likely to be included.

Advanced energy management

Energy sensors have been part of Matter since version 1.3, providing better management for most device types. Matter 1.4 expanded support to include solar panels and batteries.

Matter 1.5 could promise even more advanced monitoring and control features. New clusters have been revealed related to energy: Energy Reference Point, Electrical Energy Tariff, Electrical Meter, and Electrical Utility Meter.

These clusters are designed to integrate grid information into your Matter setup. Ideally, this will allow you to calculate power costs with dynamic tariffs and save energy based on real-time rate data.

Altogether, these additions help make Matter a universal system for advanced home energy management, covering power generation, consumption, and storage.

Cameras and audio devices

The camera device category – a long-awaited addition – should finally arrive in Matter 1.5. Anticipated types include standard cameras, camera doorbells, snapshot cameras, and audio-only devices such as audio doorbells and intercoms.

According to the official GitHub repository, these new camera types will use Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC), an open, industry-supported standard championed by Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

Doorbell devices are likely to include generic switches for triggers, similar to those used by scene switches like the Arre Button. Combination devices – such as a light and camera – may also emerge for enhanced nighttime monitoring.

Cameras could include occupancy detection, reporting directly to the Matter platform as occupancy sensors. With features introduced in previous Matter releases, zone detection for cameras may also become possible in 1.5. Will such devices include Matter Casting support? The technology has been in development, and is partially available with suitable hardware like the Amazon Echo Show 15.

Snapshot cameras could automatically send a photo when occupancy is detected, providing a low-power, battery-friendly option for flexible installation.

Chime or siren devices may also be added to work alongside cameras and doorbells. Matter’s binding would apply to these devices for seamless integration and improved user experience.

Other improvements

A major highlight on the Matter 1.5 roadmap is Home Router and Access Point (HRAP) support. For HRAP, expect enhanced onboarding and multi-admin experiences, making it easier to set up and manage devices. There are currently 17 tasks tagged as HRAP in the milestone tracker, all aimed at fundamental feature improvements in setup and management.

When is Matter 1.5 coming?

With the Connectivity Standards Alliance opting for a revised release strategy, Matter 1.5 may not arrive as soon as many hoped. New device types, such as cameras and audio doorbells, are more data-sensitive, so extended development and testing phases are expected.

Before Matter 1.5, we may see incremental updates – like Matter 1.4.2 – with minor patches and improvements, giving the major new features time to stabilize for a robust rollout.

When it’s released, you may get a chance to try the latest specs in beta on Home Assistant. SmartThings could follow later after certification. Other platforms like Apple, Google, and Alexa are usually slower in adoption. For newly introduced device types, it typically takes several quarters after the specification is released before they become widely available to consumers.

David Drager also contributed to this article.

(Source: GitHub)