Introducing Bosch's First Matter-Enabled Smart Fridge at CES 2023

Bosch Unveils its First Matter-Enabled Appliance at CES

Home appliance manufacturer Bosch is making waves at CES this week with the introduction of its first Matter-enabled appliance — the 100 Series French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator. This innovative fridge was launched last November and is set to hit the shelves in the US this spring, priced at $2,500.

Features and Connectivity

The highlight of the 100 Series is its built-in chip that will support Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard designed to streamline communication between devices. According to Eelco Lammertink from BSH, the parent company of Bosch, Siemens, Thermador, and Gaggenau, users can expect a firmware update this summer to enable full Matter functionality.

Growth Plan for Matter Integration

This refrigerator is part of a broader initiative by BSH to integrate Matter across its appliance lineup. Following the launch of the first Matter-enabled Siemens XXL Fridge showcased at IFA Berlin last November, Bosch plans to roll out Matter compatibility to all its appliances, starting with refrigerators this year. The goal is to introduce support for additional appliance categories in subsequent years, aiming for one new category in 2024 and three in 2026.

Enhancing Smart Home Experiences

The 100 Series will operate on Matter 1.3, offering users the ability to:

• Control the refrigerator temperature remotely.
• Receive notifications about the appliance's status through their chosen smart home platform.

For example, users can set up smart speakers to alert them when the refrigerator door is left open. While various smart fridges already include these features, Matter enhances the connection between appliances and smart home systems, ensuring faster and more secure local communication.

Current Support for Matter

At present, only Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant are supporting appliances integrated with Matter. However, Lammertink has indicated that Amazon Alexa will also join the list of compatible platforms this year. Unfortunately, there has been no announcement regarding support for Google Home or Apple Home at this stage.

Future Features Including Energy Management

The plans for the 100 Series refrigerator extend beyond just connectivity. BSH aims to introduce energy reporting and management capabilities. This would enable the fridge to integrate into a Matter-enabled whole-home energy management system. However, it's important to note that existing appliances won’t receive Matter updates due to technical challenges — a disappointment for users of other models, according to Lammertink.

Understanding Matter

So, what exactly is Matter? Matter is an interoperability standard for smart homes, created to standardize communication among connected devices without relying on cloud services. Developed by major tech companies including Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung, Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer that functions over various protocols like Wi-Fi, ethernet, and the low-power mesh networking standard called Thread.

Compatibility and Ecosystem

Devices with the Matter logo can be set up across various Matter-compatible ecosystems through a Matter controller, enabling seamless control from multiple platforms using a feature known as multi-admin. Supported smart home platforms include:

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Home
• Samsung SmartThings
• Apple Home

With hundreds of manufacturers backing this standard, the future of smart home technology looks promising as manufacturers like Bosch take significant steps in supporting these innovative systems.

Conclusion

As Bosch leads the way in Matter-enabled appliances, consumers can expect greater control, security, and efficiency in integrating their smart devices. The advent of this technology marks a pivotal movement towards a more interconnected and energy-efficient home environment.