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Apple-Backed 'Project CHIP' to Start Smart Home Device Certification in Late 2021

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In late 2019, Apple along with Amazon, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance announced plans to develop a universal standard for smart home products, leveraging existing protocols like Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, and Google's Weave.

homekit devices feature orange3
The so-called "Project Connected Home over IP" or "Project CHIP" aims to make it easier for device manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with a variety of smart home platforms and voice assistants by defining a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification. The new open source standard will rely on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread for device setup and connectivity.

According to a webinar hosted by the Zigbee Alliance earlier this week, highlighted by The Verge, companies participating in the project will be able to get devices certified beginning in late 2021. The standard will be available across several categories, including lights, locks, cameras, thermostats, window coverings/shades, TVs, and even smart home bridges to bring Project CHIP to older smart home products.

If the Project CHIP standard is successful, customers will have greater confidence that smart home products they purchase are compatible with a wide variety of smart home platforms and smart home products they already own.

Tag: HomeKit Guide

Top Rated Comments

JackHinkle Avatar
JackHinkle
65 months ago
Ah, finally. I do believe that this is the future of smart home technology. I'm glad to see cooperation between all of these huge companies too.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
Lemon Olive
65 months ago
This is sorely needed. Honestly it was needed 5 years ago.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iGeneo Avatar
iGeneo
65 months ago
This is a solid move.... more choices in hardware for consumers
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
cmaier
65 months ago

Looks like Apple is catching up.
With whom?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
szw-mapple fan
65 months ago

Funny how it costs more to make devices that protect your privacy and which are secure.
No dispute about that, but it nevertheless leads to a less developed accessories ecosystem compared to competitors. For most people privacy is important, but not 2x the price with a tiny fraction of the choices important.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
ChrisA
65 months ago
I've been saying for years that I'd only install "smart" devices when there is a single standard and I can go to Home Depot and buy any random light switch and know it will (1) "just work" and (2) there will be a replacement for it still available in 10 or 20 years.

#2 is the most important as buildings have very long lifetimes and no one wants to replace the switches, plugs, lightbulbs and thermostats every three years.

Apple has such a horrible reputation with #2 that until now you'd be nuts to use their products in a building. They really do need a standard that will last as long as a building stands.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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