Matter 1.5 Finally Adds Support For Smart Cameras and More…

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has released Matter 1.5, which expands the standard with new device categories and use cases. The update adds support for cameras, closures, soil sensors, and improved energy management features. Matter 1.5 continues the aim of simplifying smart home development, strengthening interoperability, and supporting more practical connected experiences for consumers and developers.

This release follows the 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 updates published earlier this year, which improved testing, certification, and developer tools. Matter 1.5 represents the next functional step, adding several highly requested device types and capabilities that manufacturers and platforms can now develop, support, and certify against.

WHAT’S NEW IN MATTER 1.5?

Matter 1.5 introduces support for cameras, one of the most anticipated additions to the specification. Developers can now create and certify cameras that work directly with Matter-enabled ecosystems without relying on custom APIs. Matter cameras provide live video and audio streaming using standard WebRTC, allow two-way communication, and support both local and remote access through STUN and TURN protocols. The specification covers multi-stream setups, pan-tilt-zoom controls, detection and privacy zones, and flexible recording options that include local storage and cloud-based recording. Manufacturers can continue to innovate within their own apps while offering full Matter interoperability, and consumers gain more flexibility in choosing camera types and price ranges.

Still, it remains to be seen how this will work with the likes of HomeKit Secure Video for example, and how such an update will deal with Aqara’s camera hubs, of which there are a few – G2H Pro, G3, G410, and G5 Pro.

The update includes improved support for closures. Matter 1.5 introduces a unified approach that covers window shades, drapes, awnings, gates, and garage doors. Smat curtains and blinds are already covered in Matter of course, but with 1.5, a simplified modular cluster design allows different motion types, such as sliding or rotating (for vertical blinds?), and different configurations, such as single or dual panels, to be represented using a consistent set of components. For users, the result is more consistent control across platforms, better position reporting, and improved support for practical use cases like checking whether a garage is closed.

Matter 1.5 adds soil sensor support for garden and indoor plant care. Soil sensors can measure moisture and, when available, temperature. Paired with Matter-enabled valves or irrigation systems, these sensors can automate watering based on real conditions, reducing unnecessary water use and helping maintain plant health.

Energy management features are expanded further in this release. Matter 1.5 introduces new ways for devices to exchange standardised information about energy pricing, tariffs, and grid carbon intensity. A new electrical energy tariff device type makes it possible for utilities, grid operators, and energy services to share real-time or forecasted pricing, tariff, and carbon data with Matter devices. Devices can then estimate energy costs, report carbon impact, or automatically adjust operation based on user settings or regulatory requirements. Data from energy-producing equipment, such as home solar systems, can be used for household energy planning.

Smart metering support is also improved, allowing devices to report usage more accurately and handle complex tariffs. Utilities can share grid connection details and power limits, enabling better demand management. Electric vehicle charging gains new capabilities, including state-of-charge reporting and support for bi-directional charging, preparing the standard for upcoming requirements in regions such as the EU.

Matter 1.5 also improves data transport by adding full support for TCP. This allows larger data sets to be transferred more efficiently, benefiting high-bandwidth devices such as cameras and improving tasks such as firmware updates or the movement of image data. These changes improve performance, reduce overhead, and can help extend battery life in compatible devices.

Matter 1.5 marks another step in the CSA’s plans to develop and gradually improve Matter as the de facto smart standard. With support for cameras, closures, soil sensors, and advanced energy management now in place, manufacturers can begin planning certification and integrating these capabilities into products.

The Matter 1.5 specification, SDK, and test tools are available to Alliance Members. Developers can review the new features and access the specification documents HERE provided by the Alliance.