Google, Apple and Amazon announced partnership to increase compatibility between smart devices from multiple systems
The famous Connected Houses are already a reality, with smart devices that use systems as varied as Google, Amazon and Apple.
However, the fact that compatibility can be an obstacle when building your own smart home, since there are different brands and platforms that end up not talking to each other.
With this current standard, the consumer is forced to have only similar products and ends up being stuck to a specific brand.
In order to change this reality, increasing compatibility between these Smart devices, technology giants have joined together to simplify the development of gadgets for manufacturers.
The project entitled Connected Home over IP, (Casa Connected by IP, in free translation), managed by Zigbee Alliance – set of companies specialized in IoT.
More freedom for the consumer
Adopting an open code approach, the working group will develop and implement a new unified connectivity protocol.
The project seeks to use contributions from smart home technologies tested in the partner companies' market.
The decision to leverage these technologies is expected to accelerate the development of the protocol and offer benefits to manufacturers and consumers more quickly.
Smart device manufacturers will not need to spend time and resources creating devices compatible with each home's main platform, thanks to the new IP-based connectivity standard.
“Our goal is to bring together market-tested technologies to develop a new open standard for intelligent home connectivity based on IP (Internet Protocol).
This means simplicity and cost savings for developers.
Thus, you will have the power to choose how you want to control your home, regardless of the technology you choose.
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Said Nik Sathe, VP of Engineering at Google
In the future, smart devices will be compatible with multisystems including Alexa (gives Amazon), Crab (gives Apple) and Google Assistant.
The protocol is designed to complement existing technologies and working group members encourage device manufacturers to continue innovating using the technologies available today.
There are currently few smart devices compatible with more than one system
On its official blog, Google informed that it is already collaborating with two of its smart home technologies with open code: Weave and Thread .
Both are IP-based and have been integrated into millions of homes worldwide.
O Weave, an application protocol, works on networks like Thread, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy and even cell phone.
Even when the devices are on different networks, the Weave allows everyone to work safely with each other.
Google, Amazon and Apple united by practicality
Smart devices can control almost any compatible device in the homeIn addition to the advantages cited, according to the companies, the Project Connected Home over IP it also provides a direct and secure connection between applications and cloud services.
There is still no specific date for when we will be able to enjoy the benefits that the partnership will provide, but the expectation that more news will be revealed at the end of 2020.
Among the member companies of Zigbee Alliance who will participate in the project are: IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, Somfy and Wulian.
Sources: Google, Apple
