The ‘Connected Home over IP’ project aims to simplify development for manufacturers and increase compatibility for consumers. The project is built around a shared belief that smart home devices should be secure, reliable, and seamless to use.
The project will build on the Internet Protocol (IP) to take an open-source approach for the development and implementation of a new, unified connectivity protocol for smart home devices.
This should make it easier for device manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with smart home and voice services such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant, and others. The planned protocol aims to complement existing technologies and working group members are encouraging device manufacturers to continue innovating using technologies available today.
The working group has said that it welcomes device manufacturers, silicon providers, and other developers from across the smart home industry to participate in and contribute to the standard.
Zigbee Alliance board member companies including IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Silicon Labs, Somfy, and Wulian will also contribute to the project.