IKEA has been striving to be a significant player in the connected home realm for years. Their catalog features motorized blinds, door sensors, and water leak detectors. However, the challenge has always been ensuring these devices work cohesively without friction. To tackle this, IKEA has entirely revamped its range of smart devices, introducing a total of 21 products compatible with Matter.
Goal: Full Compatibility
The promise of a connected home sounds great on paper, yet the reality often presents a chaotic scenario. Homeowners frequently face friction among their devices, leading to a cumbersome experience filled with various apps and hubs just to manage them. The director of home electronics at IKEA admitted to having “more than 100 smart devices at home,” but lamented having “like 10 different hubs. I hate it.”
IKEA’s history of launching connected devices has revealed that their offerings were somewhat chaotic. Initially, their light bulbs and controllers adhered to the Zigbee standard, but later they introduced the DIRIGERA hub supporting Matter. With this latest product launch, IKEA aims for total compatibility, fostering seamless interaction among all devices.
Embracing Matter for Unified Control
The chosen route for achieving this goal is through Matter, a standard launched in 2022 that integrates with prominent home automation platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit. While many devices already incorporate this standard, a notable issue persists: many older devices lack Matter compatibility. Nonetheless, this shift is a step in the right direction to curtail the chaos of interconnected devices.
Lights, Sensors, and More
The new IKEA home automation range is comprised of 21 products, categorized into three main groups: lighting, sensors, and control. The KAJPLATS line entails eleven different models of light bulbs that are dimmable and available in various shades of white, warm, and colored light.
Sensor Innovations
A range of five sensor models is also being introduced, tailored to different use cases:
- MYGGSPRAY: A motion sensor for both indoor and outdoor use, automatically turning on lights when motion is detected.
- MYGGBETT: A door/window opening sensor that allows users to configure notifications.
- TIMMERFLOTE: A sensor measuring temperature and humidity inside the home.
- ALPSTUGA: A sensor that tracks air quality, measuring CO2 levels alongside temperature and humidity.
- KLIPBOK: A water leak detector sending alerts via an audible beep or mobile notification.
Control Devices
Select your preferred controller with the BILRESA remote, and utilize the GRILLPLATS smart plug for easy integration. All these products will be available starting in December, with prices yet to be confirmed, though IKEA asserts they will be more budget-friendly.
Images | IKEA
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