The latest version of Matter was released on October 23rd and with it the industry-unifying connectivity standard took a major step towards fulfilling its promise as a seal of approval that all smart devices can work seamlessly together. Midea Group played an integral part in the key updates in the new version and led or contributed to the development of 5 of the 9 new device types added including:
1. Refrigerators - Added temperature control and monitoring for refrigerators as well as deep freezers and wine fridges.
2. Room Air Conditioners - Expanding on the existing support for HVAC and thermostats available in V1.0, added support for temperature and fan mode control for room air conditioners.
3. Dishwashers - Added ability to start remotely and alarms for operational errors such as water, temperature, and door lock errors.
4. Laundry Washers - Added support for notifications such as cycle completion with support for dryers to be added at a later date.
5. Fans - Fans are now a separate, certifiable device type with support added to change the direction, speed, movement, and mode of the airflow.’
“Midea Group’s role in the latest Matter 1.2 release is a testament to their unwavering dedication to the evolution of the smart home. They have not only contributed to the updates for many of the new device types now included in Matter 1.2 but continue to help lay the foundation for a future where consumers can benefit,” said Chris LaPre, Head of Technology, Connectivity Standards Alliance (the Alliance).
Matter V1.2 is just the latest step in a rollout that is outpacing the adoption cycles of previous industry standards. Rather than taking years for users to replace hardware, software updates enable existing smart home hubs and devices to create a global market with hundreds of millions of homes ready to connect new Matter devices. Midea Group is at the forefront of Matter’s rollout as it continues to work on adding support for even more home appliance categories in 2024.
“We are focused on creating surprisingly-friendly smart products that are not just smart for the sake of being smart but offer real solutions for real people”, said Patrick Serrato, Head of IoT at Midea America Corp. and Alliance Board Member, “Our work with Matter is at the heart of that goal and we won’t stop until we can offer consumers a complete home of Matter-certified products.”
Whether through helping to build new industry standards with Matter, adding cross-brand smart scenarios with IFTTT, or launching the new neutral SmartHome app, Midea Group is committed to creating a more open, more connected, and ultimately, smarter home.
