Ikea is testing Matter with its Dirigera hub!

Ikea is embarking on a new adventure with the testing of the Matter standard on its Dirigera hub. This initiative could mark a turning point in the Swedish smart home world, promising expanded compatibility and an improved user experience. The integration of Matter into the Dirigera hub, although delayed, now opens the door to new possibilities for home automation enthusiasts. An Expected DepartureAnnounced in May 2022, Ikea's Dirigera hub was expected to become the beating heart of the connected home, thanks to its promise of integrating the Matter standard. This announcement generated considerable interest, as Matter was considered the future unified standard for the smart home. However, the implementation of this feature has not followed the planned schedule, raising questions and expectations within the tech community.

© Ikea

Beta testing, a step forward

Matter's promise

The integration of Matter promises to greatly facilitate compatibility between different smart home ecosystems. The Dirigera hub, acting as a bridge, should allow users to control Ikea connected devices through any Matter-compatible platform, enriching the home automation experience without the need for multiple hubs or apps.

Challenges and expectations

The path to Matter integration is not without its pitfalls, as other companies such as Philips Hue have demonstrated with its Zigbee lighting bridge. Ikea's cautious approach to its beta testing can be seen as an attempt to avoid the pitfalls encountered by other brands when implementing Matter.

© Ikea

Furthermore, while Dirigera already supports major platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, the addition of Matter is likely to offer even broader interoperability, simplifying the management of connected devices within the home.

Ikea isn't relying solely on Matter to strengthen its smart home ecosystem. The company has also introduced additional features and products, such as the ability to control connected devices from anywhere with “Control Anywhere” and the launch of new affordable sensors. These developments demonstrate Ikea's commitment to providing a comprehensive and accessible connected home experience. Conclusion

Ikea's testing of Matter with its Dirigera hub is a promising step toward a more unified and user-friendly smart home. Despite delays and challenges, Ikea's commitment to continuous improvement and listening to user feedback could well make Dirigera a key player in the smart home ecosystem. We'll be sure to tell you more about it as soon as things move forward ;-)