Where do we go from here?

[jrainey]

Hi all

Just completed replacement of my Zooz dongle with zmatter dongle.  Only glitch was that I had to remove and re-add my three Zooz ZSE29 motion sensors.  No problems elsewhere.

I have since done a little reading on Thread and Matter,  (only scratched the surface really) and I am interested in the future of this ecosystem.

Which leads me to the question:  Where is UDI planning to go with Thread and Matter?  I understand from one of Michel's posts that they have successfully added Thread devices, but this has hurt the performance of the Zigbee network.  Not to worry, I am sure it will be resolved.

I am wondering, though, where polisy/eisy will fit in this architecture.  Questions I have are as follows:

       -will zmatter act as a thread router?

       -will zmatter act as a leader?

       -will zmatter act as a border router

       -will I be able to share polisy/eisy controlled devices on the thread network?

   I will likely have more questions as I dig deeper.  Just thought I would post this and start a discussion thread. (pun intended).

One more question:  Where would you like to see UDI go with this new landscaoe?

Thanks

 

Jack Rainey

[lilyoyo1]

On 11/5/2024 at 6:04 PM, jrainey said:

Hi all

Just completed replacement of my Zooz dongle with zmatter dongle.  Only glitch was that I had to remove and re-add my three Zooz ZSE29 motion sensors.  No problems elsewhere.

I have since done a little reading on Thread and Matter,  (only scratched the surface really) and I am interested in the future of this ecosystem.

Which leads me to the question:  Where is UDI planning to go with Thread and Matter?  I understand from one of Michel's posts that they have successfully added Thread devices, but this has hurt the performance of the Zigbee network.  Not to worry, I am sure it will be resolved.

I am wondering, though, where polisy/eisy will fit in this architecture.  Questions I have are as follows:

       -will zmatter act as a thread router?

       -will zmatter act as a leader?

       -will zmatter act as a border router

       -will I be able to share polisy/eisy controlled devices on the thread network?

   I will likely have more questions as I dig deeper.  Just thought I would post this and start a discussion thread. (pun intended).

One more question:  Where would you like to see UDI go with this new landscaoe?

Thanks

 

Jack Rainey

Here is what Michel last stated on the Matter. Maybe he'll chime in and answer your questions. If not, you may have to email udi directly. 

Personally, I'm not interested in matter. I've always been one to use a few devices that does exactly what I want with my chosen system instead of multitudes of different devices. From the stories I've read on matter, it's a $#/+ show, which makes me desire it even less...I do think it's great for those who depend on voice assistants and those with multiple different types in their home (at this time). Since that's not me, it has limited appeal. 

[jrainey]

Thank you for your response.

I am not so much interested in matter itself, but I do find the thread protocol very interesting.  

It appears to me that it is (will be?) very robust and responsive, even more so then either Z-wave or Zigbee.  Also, given the support that many major companies have announced for it (and Matter) I believe that a lot of devices will be coming on the market in the future.

The reason for the questions is that I am sort of at a crossroads here.  I have experienced a number of failures of Insteon devices, and will be looking to replace them.  So I am wondering if I should replace them with Insteon, Z-wave (i already have a robust Z-wave installation) try out  Zigbee, or go into Thread.  I also ask because I love to tinker.

What got me started on this particular line of thought is that I will soon be due to replace my smoke detectors.  I have been admiring the Nest Protect line, and there has been speculation that it may become available with Thread compatibility.  I would love to be able to integrate these (or similar) devices into ISY at some point it the future.

Again, thanks for the response,

 

Jack

 

[peterathans]

If you're just looking to replace the smoke detectors and gain an input to your control system, I'd suggest using whatever model/brand you prefer and adding a Zooz ZEN55 (you must have interconnected detectors).  This allows you to use a brand you prefer, and probably a more economical solution than a fancy Nest model - plus the ZEN55 reports out separate alarms for smoke and CO.

[jrainey]

Thanks Peter, I will check it out.  The features of the Nest Protect that interest me are the voice messaging, co detection and emergency lighting.  Haven't seen these features together yet in my so far cursory searching.  

I installed the Kidde detectors about nine years ago.  I was disappointed at the time that I was unable to find any models by Kidde or first alert that had either z-wave or Zigbee comms.  Hopefully, this capability has been added.

 

Thanks

 

Jack

[peterathans]

First Alert does have a Zwave model, but it's battery-only (no hardwired power).  In my application I prefer/need both, so using a more generic detector with the ZEN55 add-on worked best for me.

[jrainey]

Thanks Peter, I feel the same, especially given that my existing devices are dual power.

[photogeek54]

Many of the devices I have purchased recently support Matter and threads so I'm waiting patiently for Matter support on Eisy. They all work with their own apps but Eisy support will make them even better. I know UD is working hard on this and I hear its quite difficult but any thoughts on when a beta of Matter support might be coming would be appreciated.

[Geddy]

13 hours ago, photogeek54 said:

any thoughts on when a beta of Matter support might be coming would be appreciated.

There was an update UD emailed out a couple of weeks ago and posted to their site:

https://www.universal-devices.com/2025-liftoff/

[photogeek54]

Thanks, looks like  I wasn't signed up for news and announcements but I am now.