Aqara, a leading smart home company, has announced a significant expansion of its Matter support, adding over 50 new device types to its ecosystem. This move solidifies Aqara's position as one of the most comprehensive smart home platforms in terms of Matter support, alongside Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant.

The new device types that can now connect to Aqara Matter controllers include robotic vacuums, dimmable plugs, smoke and CO alarms, air quality sensors, and many more. This is in addition to sensors, thermostats, switches, and lights, which were already supported. The update will roll out with Aqara Home version 5.1.9 and Matter Controller firmware version 4.3.5 later this month.

Aqara's commitment to interoperability is evident in its decision to open its ecosystem to work with major third-party platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. The company's advanced bridging feature allows users to integrate Aqara's automation features into any Matter-compatible smart home platform via scenes and triggers. This enables users to access Aqara's advanced features, such as facial recognition and package detection, even if the platform doesn't natively support them.

The advanced bridging feature is not native to the Matter spec, but rather a stopgap solution developed by Aqara to allow users to access its full features in any Matter platform until (or if) Matter gains support for these more advanced features. Home Assistant has similar capabilities that allow users to import its scenes, scripts, functions, and other non-Matter-supported entities to connected platforms.

Aqara's CEO, Eugene You, emphasized the importance of interoperability in the smart home industry, stating that it is essential to move the industry forward. "By extending Matter support, we aim to offer users greater flexibility and ensure that Aqara products remain useful across a wide range of platforms," You said.

Aqara's hubs, which work with its line of Zigbee-based smart home products, have also been optimized to support Thread network sharing. This means they can join existing Thread networks managed by Apple HomePods, Amazon Echos, or Google Nest hubs, for example, providing a stronger network for Thread smart home devices.

The implications of Aqara's expanded Matter support are significant, as it enables users to create more complex and integrated smart home systems. With advanced bridging, users can access Aqara's advanced automation features, even if the platform doesn't natively support them. This move is likely to drive further adoption of Matter-compatible devices and encourage other manufacturers to follow suit.

In conclusion, Aqara's expansion of Matter support is a significant development in the smart home industry, demonstrating the company's commitment to interoperability and user flexibility. As the smart home market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other manufacturers respond to Aqara's move and how the industry as a whole adapts to the changing landscape of smart home technology.