Project connected home over IP- the attempt to bring giants Amazon, Apple, Google and Zigbee Alliance with a unified open source smart home platform has just posted its latest update on the forthcoming project. The group has announced that the work is still ongoing and is targeting a 2021 release. The group is still on track to deliver a draft specification by late 2020 and launch the standard by 2021.

The aim is to make all future devices compatible with all three voices assistant, Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant. This will make it easier for users to set up and configure smart home devices of their choices. Zigbee Alliance stated ‘’our members from across the globe industry have come together virtually and tirelessly to work towards our collective vision of a unified solution for the smart home industry’’.

Additionally the announcement clarified what sort of home devices the Project Connected Home over IP is aiming to work with, the list of categories is lengthy one: ‘’lightning and electrical (e.g. light bulbs, luminaires, controls, plugs, outlet) HVAC controls (thermostat, AC units) access control (e.g. door locks, garage doors) safety and security (e.g. sensors, detectors, security system) window covering shades, T.V access points, bridges and others. In short that’s nearly all types of home devices; scoping exercise is also underway for additional consumer electronics product and the commercial industry.   

Project Connected Home over IP was announced in December 2019 as a unified standard that would make easier for device manufacturers to create and produce smart home hardware. Zigbee Alliance Group that includes Ikea, Samsung Smart Things and Signify/ Philips Hue as board members now has grown 145 active members company. ASSA, ABLOY, Resido, SMTiro electronics and Tuya are the latest to join the Zigbee Alliance board of directors.