OpenHAB - SmartHome

In this video, I'll show you step-by-step how to configure and use the new Matter Client to integrate your compatible devices and make your smart home even faster, more interoperable, and universal.

What is the Matter protocol?

Matter is a new standard for home automation developed by a consortium of companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and other manufacturers.

Its goal is simple: to allow all smart devices to communicate with each other, regardless of brand or ecosystem.

With Matter, you can turn on a Zigbee light bulb via Alexa, control a smart plug from Apple Home, or integrate everything into openHAB without compatibility limitations.

Advantages of the Matter Client in openHAB 5

Complete interoperability Matter devices work on Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet networks, regardless of manufacturer.

Fast response: Communication happens locally, without going through the cloud.

Advanced security: Matter uses end-to-end encryption to secure connections.

Easy setup: openHAB automatically detects and manages compatible devices.

With openHAB 5 and the new Matter Client, your smart home becomes truly universal.

You can finally integrate devices from different brands into a single ecosystem, maintaining the freedom and flexibility that openHAB has always been known for.

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If you've ever tried to build a smart home, you've probably experienced the frustration: the smart light bulb that only works with Alexa, the thermostat that only communicates with Google Home, and the smart plugs that require their own app. Each device seems to exist in a separate world, forcing you to juggle dozens of apps and carefully check the compatibility labels before each purchase. This chaos is finally coming to an end. The solution is called Matter.

Let's find out together what this standard is exactly and why it's poised to revolutionize the way we experience our homes.

1. What is Matter in Plain English?

Matter is a unified, royalty-free standard for home automation. Think of it as a universal translator: a common language that all smart home devices can finally speak, regardless of who made them. Matter's fundamental purpose is simple: to ensure that products from different brands and ecosystems work together seamlessly. If your devices previously spoke different languages, now with Matter they can understand each other and collaborate seamlessly.

The true weight of Matter, however, comes from those who support it. The project is developed by a consortium that brings together the largest companies in the industry. The presence of bitter rivals like Amazon, Apple, and Google collaborating on the same standard is unprecedented and signals its strategic importance. Among the main promoters are giants such as:

• Amazon
• Apple
• Google
• Samsung
• Zigbee
• LG

This alliance ensures broad adoption and solid support. The project officially began in 2019 under the name Project Connected Home over IP, but was also known as Project CHIP until May 2021. After years of development, the final version Matter 1.0 was released on October 4, 2022, marking the beginning of a new era for the smart home.

2. How Does It Work? The Technologies Behind the Magic

Matter doesn't reinvent the wheel, but intelligently combines proven and reliable technologies to create a robust and versatile system. It works on four communication protocols, each with a specific role:

• Wi-Fi: Used for devices that require a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection, such as security cameras or streaming devices.
• Bluetooth: Used primarily for the initial setup process (onboarding, making adding a new device to the network quick and easy.
• Thread: A key technology for Matter. It creates a low-power mesh network dedicated exclusively to smart devices. It's stable, efficient, and allows devices to communicate directly with each other without overloading your home Wi-Fi.
• Ethernet: Ensures the most stable and reliable wired connection for devices that support it.

Furthermore, thanks to a bridge architecture, Matter can also communicate with devices based on other standards, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave. This means your existing investments won't become obsolete overnight.

Security First

Privacy and security are crucial in a connected home. That's why Matter uses end-to-end encryption for all communications. This means that the data exchanged between your devices is protected and unreadable from prying eyes, giving you complete peace of mind.

Ready for the Future

Matter is based on the modern IPv6 network protocol. Thanks to its 128-bit encryption, this system offers a nearly infinite address space. In simple terms, this means that your smart home can grow and expand for years, adding hundreds or thousands of devices, without ever reaching a technical limit. It's a standard built to last.

3. Why is Matter Important to You? The Concrete Benefits

Beyond the technology, what really matters is how Matter improves your daily experience. The change is radical and can be summed up in three major benefits.

With these advantages, Matter is no longer just a technical issue, but the foundation on which the future of our daily lives is being built.

4. The Future of the Smart Home is Here

Matter is not a promise for a distant future, but a concrete reality. Since its official release in October 2022, a growing number of manufacturers are launching compatible devices or updating existing ones.

We are witnessing a true reset for the home automation market, a shift that will drive innovation and put an end to the walled gardens that have limited consumer choice. Matter is building the foundation for the smart home we've always dreamed of: simple, secure, and truly unified for everyone.

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With the release of OPENHAB 5, the world of open-source home automation takes an important step forward thanks to native support for Matter, the standard that aims to unify smart home devices. One of the most interesting new features is Matter multi-association, which allows you to connect the same device to multiple bridges or controllers at the same time.

What does Matter multi-association mean?

With Matter you are no longer tied to a single ecosystem. A smart bulb, smart plug, or compatible sensor can be registered in OpenHAB 5 as well as in other systems such as Google Home, Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. This makes your smart home more flexible, open, and ready to integrate with multiple platforms without limitations.

How it works in OpenHAB 5

In my test, I used the Matter Bridge in OpenHAB 5 to pair a Matter-compatible device and then connect it to multiple bridges. The main steps are:

1. Configure the Matter Bridge in OpenHAB 5
2. Start pairing a Matter device
3. Repeat the pairing on a second controller
4. Verify that the device responds correctly from both platforms

The result? The same device works in parallel across multiple systems: you can manage it from OpenHAB with advanced rules and, at the same time, control it from Google Home or Alexa. ✅

Why it’s useful

Matter multi-association brings three major benefits:

• Flexibility: multiple ecosystems, one device
• Redundancy: if one system has issues, the other keeps working
• Better integration: take advantage of each platform’s strengths

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With the arrival of OpenHAB 5, integration with the Matter standard becomes even easier. Matter is the new protocol designed to make smart home devices compatible with each other, regardless of brand or ecosystem.

In this article (and in the video at the bottom of the page), I'll show you how to:

• Configure Matter Metadata in the Main UI
• Enable the Matter Bridge
• Verify operation with Google Home

Thanks to this integration, you can start centralizing the management of Matter-compatible devices directly from OpenHAB, without having to switch between separate apps or hubs.

If you're passionate about DIY home automation and want to prepare your home for the future of smart home standards, this is a crucial step!

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Are you ready to say goodbye to the boundaries between smart home ecosystems? With the launch of Matter, the future of home automation is finally here. But what if you already have a solid infrastructure based on a system like OpenHAB? The answer is simple and powerful: the Matter Bridge in OpenHAB 5.

In this post, we'll dive deep into how this revolutionary feature not only integrates native Matter devices but, more importantly, makes all the devices you already control with OpenHAB compatible with the new standard, regardless of their age or technology.

What is the Matter Bridge and Why is it so Important?

Think of the Matter Bridge as a universal translator. Its function is to "expose" your already configured OpenHAB devices (such as switches, sensors, or light bulbs) to an external Matter-compatible ecosystem, like Google Home or Apple HomeKit.

The big advantage? The connection is local. It doesn't rely on cloud servers, ensuring greater speed, reliability, and most importantly, impeccable privacy. This is the true heart of the "local-first" philosophy that drives OpenHAB, and which now joins the promise of Matter.

How Does It Work in Practice?

The process is surprisingly simple, and in the video, I'll show you step-by-step.

1. Binding Installation: Simply add the Matter binding from the OpenHAB 5 repository.
2. Simple Configuration: Once installed, the binding creates a "Matter Bridge". At this point, you'll simply need to add the "Matter" tag to the OpenHAB items you wish to expose. OpenHAB will do the rest, translating the state and functionality of your device into the Matter-compatible format.
3. Ecosystem Integration: You can then use an app like Google Home or Apple Home to add the "bridge" as if it were a new device. All tagged items will automatically appear and be ready for control.

The Practical Test: Proof That It Works!

In the video, I performed a concrete demonstration: I exposed a virtual OpenHAB switch to Google Home via Matter. The result? It works perfectly! This shows that not only is the theory sound, but the integration is already stable and ready for use.

The Future is Now

This functionality opens up endless possibilities. You won't have to buy new devices just for compatibility with a new standard. You can update your existing home automation, making the most of your investments and unlocking a level of interoperability never seen before.

What do you think of this integration? Are you ready to dive into the world of Matter?

Enjoy your viewing

OpenHAB 5.0: The Home Automation Revolution Is Here

After a two-year wait, the most beloved open-source home automation ecosystem among enthusiasts is back with unprecedented strength. openHAB 5.0 isn't just an update, but a true revolution that rewrites the rules of the game, introducing features that make the smart home even more powerful, open, and intuitive.

If you're a home automation enthusiast, get ready to discover all the new features that will make you fall in love with this new version.

Some of these include:

1. Matter: Interoperability Defined

The most anticipated new feature is undoubtedly native support for Matter, the new unified connectivity standard. This means that openHAB 5.0 is finally ready to speak the same language as devices and platforms from different brands, such as Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.

But there's more: openHAB's new Matter Bridge lets you make your legacy devices (e.g., Zigbee or Z-Wave) visible to other Matter ecosystems.

Essentially, openHAB becomes a "universal translator" that extends the compatibility of your smart home to an unprecedented level.

2. Python Add-on and YAML Configuration: Goodbye to Complicated

For those who love to tinker with code, openHAB 5.0 offers tools that greatly simplify their lives:

New Python Add-on: Rewritten from scratch, it makes writing scripts more fluid and intuitive, with easier access to all entities and rules.

YAML Configuration: Forget the old DSL format. Now you can define your "Things" and "Items" with the modern and clear YAML syntax, making configuration tidier and more readable. The user interface even lets you generate YAML code automatically!

3. New iOS App: Home Automation at Your Fingertips

The smartphone user experience has also taken a leap forward, especially for Apple users. The new iOS app has been completely rewritten to better integrate with the Apple ecosystem and offers features that transform everyday use:

iOS Widgets and Shortcuts: Control your devices directly from the Home screen or with voice commands via Siri.

Apple Watch Support: Manage your home directly from your wrist.

Kiosk Mode: Turn an iPad or iPhone into a true wall control panel, locking the app in the foreground and providing instant access to home automation for the whole family.

What do you think of these new features? Are you ready to install openHAB 5.0?

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Did you just update OpenHAB to version 5.0.1 and encounter some unexpected errors?

Don't worry, it happened to me too.

In this video, I want to share my upgrade experience, showing how I resolved the small issues that arose and why, in the end, I'm more than satisfied with the result.

The most surprising thing is that the upgrade was silent, meaning it didn't create any blocking issues. On the contrary, it highlighted errors that the previous version 4 had never reported.

The new version is more strict and, in fact, pushes you to make your configuration cleaner and more robust.

In the video, you can find the 3 types of errors I encountered and how I solved them.

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Upgrading OpenHAB from 4 to 5? Done!

The process was easier than expected. I've documented everything in my new video.

Watch the result and discover the key steps.

From installing Java 21, to updating OpenHAB, to the final checks.

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Integrate your SwitchBot devices into OpenHAB with this API to MQTT bridge!

In this video, I show you how I configured OpenHAB to integrate a SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro via MQTT, using my switchbot-api2mqtt bridge.

This software connects the SwitchBot cloud APIs to an MQTT broker, allowing you to control and monitor your SwitchBot devices (such as locks, blinds, thermometers, etc.) directly from OpenHAB or any MQTT-compatible home automation system.

• Completely open source
• Works on Raspberry Pi or any server, optionally with Docker
• Supports all SwitchBot API-compatible devices
• Includes MQTT support for commands and status
• Perfect for DIY home automation!

Download the project from my GitHub repository https://github.com/domoticsduino/switchbot-api2mqtt

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What are Webhooks? How do they work? And above all: how can you use them with Switchbot?

In this video I explain everything you need to know about Webhooks, starting from scratch!

Webhooks are a powerful tool for automating communications between services.

In the world of home automation, and in particular with Switchbot devices, they allow you to receive events in real time, such as the opening of a door or a change of state.

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Do you have SwitchBot devices and want to integrate them into OpenHAB?

In my latest video I present the full version of my MQTT bridge in Python, which now supports ALL devices compatible with the SwitchBot API!

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I complete the configuration of my Switchbot Smartlock in Openhab via the MQTT protocol, using my Api2mqtt Bridge, which allows you to use the switchbot apis through MQTT communication.

In this video, in addition to creating objects to send controls, view the battery status and more, I create a sitemap to take a final test.

You can download and use the bridge for free from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

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Easy integration in OpenHAB of my SWITCHBOT SMARTLOCK via MQTT protocol, using my API2MQTT bridge, which allows to use the SWITCHBOT APIs via MQTT communication.

In this video, I create things, channels and items in OpenHAB to interface with my SMART LOCK...

You can download and use the bridge for free from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

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Do you have a Switchbot Smart Lock and want to integrate it into Openhab?

This video shows you a software that could be for you!

I wrote a Python program that acts as a bridge between the API of Switchbot and the Mqtt protocol, making the integration of the intelligent lock an easy stuff.

Forget complex configurations: with this script you can check and automate your Smart Lock directly from Openhab, taking advantage of the simplicity of the Mqtt protocol.

In the video you will find all the details. You can download the software and use free of charge from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

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I start a new project for the integration of the SWITCHBOT SMARTLOCK in OpenHAB.

I want to try to exploit the SWITCHBOT APIs through a software that will make integration with the MQTT protocol possible, acting as a PROXY between the two protocols.

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A quick video where I change the way the docker container is created, switching from the command line with Docker Run to Docker Compose, to be more comfortable making changes and updates.

I create the docker-compose.yml file ready to be executed

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