CSA Announces Matter 1.5, Adding Secure Camera Support and New Devices

Matter 1.5 has released, bringing with it lots of new supported device types. Among the new additions are support for cameras, soil sensors, and what they call “closures.”

Matter is an open standard for interoperable smart home devices. It allows you to run a secure, local network of smart home devices that can all work together seamlessly.

The 1.5 update to the standard allows security cameras to be easily run on your local smart home network without having to rely on some cloud service to control them.

The support is based around standard WebRTC technology used in browsers and many other technologies that rely on real-time video and audio such as messaging apps that include calling functionality.

The support includes many features you would want in a surveillance system such as multi-stream support, pan-til-zoom controls, motion detection, privacy zones, and the ability to link to cloud or local storage of your choice.

Older cameras can be updated to support the new standard, it’s only up to the device vendors to update them to support it.

Of note also is the new class of devices called “closures.” These include window shades, drapes, awnings, garage doors, etc. Being able to control these locally and in an automated way so you never leave your garage door open for example or your window shades are always closed at night for example will be a big boost to your privacy should you choose to go the smart home route.

It’s great to see open standards like Matter being expanded and adopted industry-wide. Open standards and interoperability are the best path toward a more private and secure future.