Blaze Automation: Pioneering sustainable IoT solutions since 2007. As a trusted ODM partner, we design and manufacture innovative hardware and software for Smart Homes, Energy Management, and Industrial sectors. Driven by a mission to advance eco-friendly technology, Blaze is committed to reducing time-to-market and building a sustainable future with global partners. OUR STORY Blaze's Commitment to Smart Living Founded in 2007, Blaze Automation is a leading Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) in the IoT industry. We partner with a global customer base to design, develop, test, manufacture, and certify a wide range of hardware products and software solutions tailored to our clients' needs. Our unparalleled expertise spans connectivity protocols, silicon platforms, app development, and cloud architectures, allowing us to significantly reduce time-to-market for our customers. Serving industries including Smart Homes, Energy Management, Industrial, Access Control, Utilities, and Consumer Electronics, we are dedicated to delivering innovative and efficient solutions. Connect with us to see how we can help build your next groundbreaking product. OUR MISSION Sustainability at the Heart of Innovation At Blaze Automation, we firmly believe that the advancement of human civilization must prioritize sustainability. This principle is integral to our mission and guides every product we develop in areas such as Energy Monitoring, Energy Management, and Distributed Energy Resource Orchestration. Our unwavering commitment to sustainability drives us to innovate with eco-friendly technologies and practices. Additionally, we meticulously manage our vendors and supply chain to ensure adherence to sustainability principles across all operations. By embedding sustainability into every facet of our business, we strive to set a benchmark and positively impact the future for generations to come. WHO WE ARE Meet Our Management At Blaze Automation, our leadership team brings together a wealth of experience and expertise, guiding our vision and strategy to innovate and lead in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry. Meet Our Visionary Leaders ARJUN VALLURI CHAIRMAN Arjun, Chairman of Blaze Automation, leading vision and innovation. He co-founded Intelligroup, Inc. (acquired by NTT Data), serving as Chairman, President, and CEO. Arjun has received numerous accolades, including NJ Fast 50 awards, Var Business 500 awards, NJ Entrepreneur of the Year awards, and the NJ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001. SRIDHAR PONUGUPATI CEO Sridhar is the CEO of Blaze Automation with strong expertise in IoT, embedded security, automation, and Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS). He has designed energy management solutions and mission-critical systems for global OEMs, banks, and government agencies, delivering projects in Japan, Australia, and the USA. Dr. DAVE IRVINE HALLIDAY DIRECTOR Dr. Dave MSM, PEng, Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary, founded "Light Up The World" (LUTW) in 1997, bringing affordable solid-state lighting to 53 countries. An expert in power electronics & solar systems, he has received over 24+ awards, Rolex Laureate, Meritorious Service Medal CA, Saatchi and Saatchi Laureate, Tech Museum Laureate & Y. LoMedal CA. SARADA AKKINENI DIRECTOR Sarada Akkineni, Director at Blaze Automation, oversees software design and development for home automation products. With a decade of management experience at top telecom firms like Lucent Technologies and Net2Phone, her expertise spans broadband networking, high-speed routers, and VoIP systems. She graduated from University of Illinois & started her career at Cisco Systems. COMPANY Blaze in Numbers 18+ Years in IoT 20+ Countries 100+ Products 30+ Customers AAKANKSHA MATHUR G.M of S&M Aakanksha, a seasoned sales professional with 11 years of experience, started her career as a Wealth Manager at ICICI Bank, where she quickly advanced to Branch Manager. She later transitioned to the IoT sector, taking on the role of General Manager for international sales and marketing. With an MBA, Aakanksha excels in driving strategic growth, nurturing client relationships, and expanding global footprints. MALLIKHARJUNA T Senior VP Mallik, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Platform Development at Blaze, brings over 18 years of experience in the embedded systems industry. He has progressed from Jr Embedded Engineer to Technical Lead and Project Manager, now overseeing IoT product development. His expertise includes firmware development, troubleshooting critical issues, and ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability for reliable real-world applications. NAZIA BASHIR AHMED Head of HR Nazia, Head of HR at Blaze Automation, brings over 13 years of experience, initially focused on technical expertise. Driven by curiosity, she transitioned into HR, seamlessly combining her engineering background with a dedication to people. In her leadership role, Nazia fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, striving for both organizational growth and holistic talent development. ARJUN VALLURI CHAIRMAN Arjun, Chairman of Blaze Automation, leading vision and innovation. He co-founded Intelligroup, Inc. (acquired by NTT Data), serving as Chairman, President, and CEO. Arjun has received numerous accolades, including NJ Fast 50 awards, Var Business 500 awards, NJ Entrepreneur of the Year awards, and the NJ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001. SRIDHAR PONUGUPATI CEO Sridhar, CEO of Blaze Automation with strong expertise in IoT, embedded security, automation, and Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS). He has designed energy management solutions and mission-critical systems for global OEMs, banks, and government agencies, delivering projects in Japan, Australia, and the USA. He serves on the Ministry of Power’s Expert Working Group for Technology under the India Energy Stack Task Force, where he leads the working group to define Indian national standards for Smart Homes, Smart Switches and Appliances to enable interoperability and demand response. DHEERAJ KESWANI CFO Dheeraj, CFO of Blaze Automation, is a seasoned finance leader with 20+ years of expertise in corporate finance, strategy, and business management. Holding an MBA from SIMS and a Graduate Diploma from SFM, London, he excels in driving profitability, navigating complex financial landscapes, and implementing sustainable practices for long-term growth.

Discover Blaze's advanced Energy Management Solution for homes and businesses. With connected devices, B.One OS, and real-time energy monitoring, control, and savings, Blaze empowers sustainable practices, helping you reduce consumption and move towards Net-zero while cutting energy costs. IntelliGrid Power the Future with Blaze’s Next-Gen ADR Blaze empowers utilities, energy aggregators, and ESCOs to implement large-scale Automated Demand Response (ADR) programs effortlessly. Built on our secure, globally compliant IoT platform and a vast device ecosystem , the Blaze's IntelliGrid Solution delivers intelligent, real-time energy management at scale, ensuring grid stability, operational efficiency, and sustainable performance . With native support for traditional split air conditioners via IR blasters and a code library of 200,000+ remotes , Blaze seamlessly integrates legacy systems into modern ADR schemes, enabling rapid deployment with minimal cost . Ever Wonder How Smart Grids Balance Energy in Real Time? Imagine an energy ecosystem that automatically senses demand spikes, adjusts consumption, and keeps the grid stable, all without human intervention. That’s the power of Automated Demand Response (ADR) . ADR is an intelligent mechanism that enables utilities to dynamically reduce or shift electricity usage during periods of high demand or grid stress. With Blaze's IntelliGrid solution , utilities and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) can manage energy smarter, combining automation, user consent, and real-time data to ensure seamless control and sustainability. The Core Objectives: ⚡ Cut Energy Costs - for utilities and end customers alike. 🧠 Boost Grid Resilience - by preventing overloads and maintaining stability. 🌍 Champion Sustainability - aligning operations with global clean energy goals. Blaze's IntelliGrid isn’t just automation - it’s energy intelligence in action. From Overload to Optimization - The Power of ADR. Every grid faces moments of pressure, those peak hours when energy demand surges, costs spike, and stability hangs in the balance. That’s where Automated Demand Response (ADR) steps in. Instead of reacting to overloads, Blaze enables utilities to anticipate and adapt, automatically balancing supply and demand in real time. By intelligently reducing or shifting electricity usage based on grid conditions and pricing signals, ADR turns potential instability into smart, sustainable control. With Blaze's IntelliGrid , utilities gain: ✅ Instant Responsiveness - automation that reacts faster than manual control. ✅ Effortless Participation - seamless end-user involvement without disruption. ✅ Reliable Compliance - real-time visibility and accurate reporting for every event. Blaze's IntelliGrid transforms peak-hour chaos into a new era of intelligent grid harmony. Blaze's IntelliGrid: The Core of Next-Gen Grid Intelligence. At the heart of Blaze's IntelliGrid lies a simple goal to help utilities take control when it matters most. By combining automation, analytics, and consent-driven participation , Blaze's IntelliGrid enables energy providers to dynamically manage demand, cut costs, and keep the grid balanced in real time. When energy peaks, Blaze's IntelliGrid responds - intelligently, instantly, and sustainably. Key Outcomes: ⚡ Reduce Peak Load Demand - ease the strain when the grid is under pressure. 💰 Lower Operational Costs - optimize distribution and pass savings to customers. 🔋 Enhance Grid Stability - maintain reliability during critical demand spikes. 🌱 Advance Sustainability - drive clean energy adoption and smarter consumption. Benefits for Utilities & Customers: Peak Load Reduction: Reliable demand balancing for consistent performance. Cost Savings: Reduced power purchases and efficient energy delivery. Sustainability: Lower carbon footprint through intelligent automation. Transparency: Real-time monitoring and control for both operators and end-users. Blaze's IntelliGrid isn’t just managing demand; it’s redefining how energy intelligence powers the future. 3-Tier Architecture for Reliable, Scalable ADR Blaze's IntelliGrid solution features three purpose-built architecture models , each engineered to fit diverse infrastructure needs, connectivity options, and deployment scales. At the heart of every model lies Blaze’s Hybrid Cloud + Edge Core , ensuring resilient connectivity, real-time responsiveness, and seamless integration across devices, gateways, and utility platforms. Blaze’s hybrid design transforms traditional energy networks into intelligent, adaptable ecosystems - driving efficiency, reliability, and flexibility from the core. ADR with Stand-alone Wi-Fi Devices Smart Simplicity for Fast, Scalable Rollouts This model leverages Wi-Fi–enabled smart devices, infrared blasters, outlets, relays, and environmental sensors to enable utilities to deploy ADR programs rapidly. Operating over the user’s existing Wi-Fi, these devices eliminate infrastructure costs and are plug-and-play installable by any trained electrician. Ideal for small to mid-scale rollouts, it delivers instant operational benefits with minimal overhead making it the perfect entry point into Automated Demand Response. ADR with Wi-SUN + Wi-Fi Smart Devices Dual Connectivity. Zero Downtime. Infinite Possibilities. This hybrid architecture blends Wi-Fi and Wi-SUN technologies to ensure always-on reliability and precise demand management at scale. Even if Wi-Fi connectivity fluctuates, the Wi-SUN mesh maintains seamless communication with the utility. A compact Wi-SUN Head End System (HES) connects 1,000+ households via 4G/5G networks, balancing cost and performance. If the utility already operates Wi-SUN HES for smart meters, Blaze’s platform can integrate directly through APIs - zero new infrastructure required. Scenario 1: Wi-SUN Connectivity Scenario 2: Wi-Fi Connectivity ADR with Zigbee-based Smart Devices & Gateway The Intelligent Core for Large-Scale, High-Demand Environments Designed for commercial, industrial, and large residential setups, this model employs Zigbee/Z-Wave smart devices managed through an Edge Gateway installed on-site. The gateway executes local load management and DER orchestration even with limited internet, ensuring uninterrupted ADR control. It integrates thermostats, relays, and major load devices like water heaters, pool pumps, and chillers , enabling real-time energy optimization . With AI-driven insights layered on top, Blaze transforms the gateway into a local intelligence core, optimizing every watt consumed. Key Components Software Components Dashboard Smart, scalable, and data-driven - Blaze’s Platform delivers unified control and real-time energy insights. ADR Schedule Management: Unified platform for utilities to efficiently manage and execute Automated Demand Response (ADR) schedules. System Health, Analytics & Control: Offers real-time system health monitoring, detailed analytics, and remote control for seamless operations. Demand Insights & Reports: Visualizes demand trends and generates actionable reports for smarter, data-driven decisions. Load Shedding Range (10–15%): Load shedding depends on relay cutoff power and AC set points. Example: If an AC is set at 25 °C and the room is 18 °C, it adjusts to 25 °C, saving energy. If already 26 °C, no change occurs since lowering would increase power use, hence a 10–15% cutoff range. Mobile App Empowering users with control, transparency, and real-time energy awareness. Live Energy Insights: Monitor real-time energy usage and stay informed about consumption patterns anytime, anywhere. Effortless Participation: Easily provide consent and set personal preferences for ADR events, full control at your fingertips. Built on Trust & Transparency: Strengthens the connection between utilities and users through clear data visibility and informed participation. Smart Device Enrollment: Enroll devices, manage consent, and define participation rules seamlessly within the app. Event History & Analytics: Access detailed event logs, participation summaries, and energy performance history for smarter decision-making. Cloud Platform Powering seamless automation, intelligence, and control at scale. Smart Event Orchestration: Manages ADR events triggered by utility control centers or third-party providers with precision and reliability. Real-time Signal Processing: Interprets live grid signals, applies user-defined rules, and executes demand response actions instantly. Utility-grade Monitoring & Compliance: Delivers powerful dashboards, reporting tools, and secure data storage for complete visibility, auditing, and compliance. Hardware Components Wi-SUN + Wi-Fi Based Relay Controls High-consumption appliances (ACs, geysers, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.). During ADR (with user consent), relays automatically turn off / manage loads across multiple households. Installed at the customer site, connected to High-power Devices (ACs, heaters, geysers, etc.). Supports Wi-SUN + Wi-Fi communication. Executes local control commands (e.g., turning OFF devices during ADR). Communication pathways: Wi-SUN protocol → Gateway communication. Wi-Fi → Local device integration. Wi-SUN Gateway with LTE Connectivity Aggregates data from sensors and relays. Connects to the cloud via LTE, ensuring independence from local Wi-Fi. Supports remote firmware updates and real-time Utility visibility. BLE Temperature Sensor Broadcasts temperature via BLE beacons. Data is captured by 16A Wi-Fi Sockets, Relays or Wi-SUN Relays. Enables temperature-sensitive load management for appliances like ACs. 16A Wi-Fi Socket Controls heavy appliances like ACs and geysers. Receives BLE sensor data and executes ADR commands. Can be configured via consent management to: Turn OFF AC during ADR events. Adjust AC to recommended set-points for optimal savings. Restores AC power once ADR deactivates. IR Blaster Stores user’s preferred AC temperature set-point. After ADR deactivation, it restores AC to the same comfort settings using BLE T&H readings. Balances Utility energy reduction goals with customer comfort assurance. IR Blaster restores the AC’s previous set-point post-ADR, ensuring user comfort without losing energy efficiency.

Blaze offers secure, scalable cloud and platform development for IoT, prioritizing data protection with advanced encryption, access control, and real-time threat monitoring. Enhance IoT functionality with robust cybersecurity for safe, resilient digital ecosystems. Cloud & Platform Development Blaze specializes in delivering advanced cloud services tailored specifically for IoT applications, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity to safeguard your data and infrastructure. Our expertise lies in creating secure, scalable cloud platforms that not only support the connectivity and functionality of your IoT ecosystem but also ensure robust protection against potential cyber threats. We implement industry-leading security protocols and practices, including encryption, access control, and intrusion detection systems , to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. By integrating these security measures into every layer of our cloud services, we provide a secure foundation for your IoT operations, ensuring data integrity and privacy. Our comprehensive services extend beyond just cloud infrastructure and include secure API integrations, real-time threat monitoring, and vulnerability assessments. We design and deploy cloud environments with built-in security features that adhere to the highest standards and compliance requirements. Additionally, our team is adept at implementing advanced data analytics and machine learning capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on protecting your information from emerging cyber threats. Partnering with us means not only benefiting from cutting-edge cloud solutions but also gaining peace of mind with our commitment to cybersecurity, ensuring your IoT applications remain secure and resilient in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

As the smart home landscape rapidly evolves, the challenge isn’t just innovation — it’s integration. Retrofitting connected technology into tight electrical enclosures and older infrastructure remains one of the most overlooked pain points. Enter Blaze Automation’s B.One In-Wall Pico Relay  — a product that proves compact design doesn’t have to come at the cost of performance. At just 17.6 mm thin , this ultra-slim module redefines how and where intelligent automation can be deployed. Reimagining What Fits Inside a Wall Most standard junction boxes are too shallow for conventional smart relays. Space constraints have always limited what’s possible behind existing switches, especially in legacy buildings. That’s exactly where the B.One Pico Relay delivers. With its incredibly compact form factor, it installs effortlessly behind switches and outlets - no messy surface-mounted boxes or complicated rewiring required. It’s a seamless way to upgrade traditional switchboards into smart, connected control panels without altering their appearance or layout. But don’t let the size fool you. The Pico Relay is packed with capabilities that rival much larger devices. It supports Wi-Fi or Zigbee , handles loads up to 16A , and includes built-in protection against overheating, overload, and voltage fluctuations . All of this is wrapped into a form factor that makes it ideal for OEMs and system integrators looking for efficient, certifiable, and space-saving solutions. Smart Functionality in the Tightest Spaces From smart homes to commercial retrofits, the applications are as diverse as they are impactful. The Pico Relay is the go-to solution for installations where conventional relays simply won’t fit - such as shallow junction boxes , narrow switchboards , or multi-relay gang boxes . It allows users to transform ordinary switches into smart ones while maintaining their original look and feel. Integrators can use it to power smart lighting scenes, automate fans or appliances, and enable energy monitoring — all while reducing the footprint of their automation stack. Its stealth design not only saves space but simplifies deployment across both new and retrofit projects. Multiple Pico Relays can even be installed side-by-side within a single gang box to support multi-channel control, making them ideal for compact, high-efficiency smart home builds. Built by Blaze, Built for What’s Next At the core of this innovation is Blaze Automation’s mission: building powerful automation hardware that’s as elegant as it is effective. The Pico Relay is a product of that philosophy — not just smaller, but smarter. It’s designed, engineered, and manufactured to meet strict quality and performance benchmarks that Blaze customers worldwide have come to trust. For OEM partners, the Pico Relay offers a performance boost with minimal redesign. For integrators, it reduces complexity and expands installation possibilities. And for users, it offers a powerful, invisible layer of automation that enhances comfort, efficiency, and control. Blaze Automation’s B.One In-Wall Pico Relay  is a benchmark for where smart technology is heading - slimmer, smarter, and seamlessly embedded into the spaces we live and work in. Ready to make your infrastructure smarter without compromise? Let’s talk. Blaze Automation is here to help you bring precision-engineered, space-optimized intelligence to your next project — one switchboard at a time.

The Internet of Things is exploding – over 25 billion devices today and an estimated 50 billion by 2030. Everything from smart bulbs to industrial sensors is online, often handling sensitive data. Yet most of this traffic is unprotected (roughly 98% unencrypted), making IoT devices easy targets. In fact, low-cost devices with weak or no encryption are “often targeted by cyberattacks due to weak encryption and authentication”. In this landscape, securing data at the edge is vital. One crucial ingredient is randomness – the unpredictability that underpins strong encryption. By adding quantum-enhanced random number generation to its AI-ready Edge gateways, Blaze Automation is helping to raise the bar for IoT security. Why Randomness (Entropy) Matters In cryptography, entropy is essentially the “randomness” used to create secure keys. Think of it as rolling a die: the more unpredictable the roll, the more secure the resulting code. As one security blog puts it, entropy is “a measure of the randomness or unpredictability of data” used to generate keys. Without enough entropy, keys can be guessed or brute-forced. In practice, IoT devices use random numbers to create encryption keys, digital signatures, and other cryptographic safeguards. For example, Encryption keys are “comprised of random numbers that should be impossible to predict,” and that “the greater the degree of randomness, the better protected information will be”. In short, high-quality randomness is the foundation of strong encryption. If the random bits are predictable or poor, even military-grade algorithms can be undermined. Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) to the Rescue Traditional random number generators (RNGs) in computers are often pseudo-random (based on algorithms) or limited by physical sensors. They can suffer bias or depletion of entropy. By contrast, Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) harness fundamental quantum phenomena (like photon behavior) to produce truly unpredictable bits. These bits are not repeatable or correlated – even the hardware manufacturer can’t predict them – making them ideal for cryptography. Unlike classical RNGs, QRNGs are essentially immune to environmental noise or manipulation. Importantly, QRNGs are built for the quantum era. In practice, that means QRNG-produced keys are strongest, by ensuring every key on the gateway starts from genuine quantum entropy, Blaze’s new gateways help guard against both today’s threats and tomorrow’s quantum-powered attacks. Blaze’s QRNG-Enhanced Edge Gateways Blaze’s AI-ready Edge Gateway (Edge 2.0) with built-in QRNG. Our gateways support dozens of IoT protocols – Wi‑Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Z‑Wave, Zigbee, BLE/Bluetooth, LTE (CAT M1/NB‑IoT), Ethernet, and more– making them the central hub of any smart installation. They pack powerful processors and can run AI workloads locally, offloading tasks from the cloud. Critically, they encrypt data locally: Blaze’s Edge Gateway provides “secure data management with military-grade encryption at the edge”. Now, Blaze has taken security even further by adding a hardware QRNG chip inside the gateway. This means every time the gateway generates an encryption key, it comes from fundamentally random quantum bits. No longer does the device rely solely on software RNG or other entropy sources that might be weak – it has its own true  entropy generator. In practice, this equips the entire IoT network with a hardware root-of-trust . Blaze’s customers can be confident that their data is encrypted with keys that even advanced attackers cannot predict or replicate. Benefits for You and Your Customers Blaze’s integration of QRNG into edge gateways delivers multiple customer benefits: Stronger Encryption: Keys start from quantum randomness, making them virtually unpredictable. This raises the bar on security – even if someone intercepts the data, cracking it is far harder when keys have maximal entropy. Post-Quantum Ready: Conventional RNGs (tied to today’s crypto algorithms like RSA/ECC) could be broken by future quantum computers. A QRNG puts you ahead: as one study explains, QRNGs are “essential for post-quantum security frameworks and next-generation encryption methods”. In short, your gateways are ready for the cryptographic challenges of tomorrow. Future-Proof Scalability: QRNGs can be deployed across an entire IoT network – on devices, in the cloud, or in mix-and-match architectures. Blaze gateways with QRNG can scale from small smart homes to large industrial IoT sites. The same quantum entropy source can help secure thousands of devices without a hitch, giving your solution future-proof scalability. Trusted Differentiation: By using quantum hardware at the edge, you offer a unique security value. This can be a powerful selling point to end-customers and partners who demand the highest trust (think healthcare, finance, or critical infrastructure). Blaze’s QRNG-enabled gateways give your products a competitive edge – you’re not just more secure today, you’re staying ahead of the curve.

What Is Matter and Why It Matters in IoT Matter is a new open smart-home connectivity standard created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (led by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and others) to fix the fragmentation in IoT. It enables easier, more secure, and more reliable communication  between devices, apps, and cloud services across different brands. In practical terms, a Matter-certified device can work with all major ecosystems  (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, etc.) via a single protocol. This means manufacturers no longer need to build multiple versions of the same product for different platforms, and consumers get a unified experience  regardless of which phone or voice assistant they use. Matter is also designed for local operation – devices can communicate on your local network without requiring constant cloud access, improving speed and reliability for core functions. In short, Matter standardizes IoT interoperability , benefiting everyone in the ecosystem. (Previously, each smart device vendor had its own onboarding process and proprietary integration, forcing device makers to maintain different firmware and certifications for each ecosystem – an expensive and complex endeavor. Matter addresses this challenge by providing one common standard for all.) Key Benefits of Adopting Matter for Smart Devices and Manufacturers Universal Compatibility:  Matter enables devices from different manufacturers to seamlessly work together under one standard. A Matter-enabled light bulb or thermostat will interoperate with any Matter controller or app, regardless of brand, ending the compatibility guessing game for consumers. For example, a new smart lock that speaks Matter can be controlled by Apple’s, Google’s, or Amazon’s smart home apps out-of-the-box, greatly expanding its market reach. Future-Proofing:  Backed by all the industry giants and governed by an alliance, Matter is poised to be the long-term foundation for smart home connectivity. Its open, evolving nature means new device types and improvements are regularly added (Matter 1.4 in late 2024 expanded support to more categories like home appliances, and energy management devices). Adopting Matter helps future-proof devices  against shifting ecosystem trends, ensuring they remain relevant and compatible for years to come. Enhanced Security:  Matter was built with security “baked in” from day one.  All Matter interactions require robust encryption and verified device identities. Every Matter device carries a unique cryptographic certificate issued by the manufacturer and signed by a trusted authority, so devices can prove they are authentic and not cloned or tampered. During setup, devices undergo an attestation process and only join the network after their credentials are validated. All communication on a Matter network is end-to-end encrypted and authenticated, preventing eavesdropping or unauthorized commands. In essence, Matter devices adhere to a zero-trust  security model – no default passwords or “anonymous” access – making smart homes far more resilient to attacks. Seamless User Experience (Multi-Admin Support):  With Matter, consumers enjoy simplified setup and control  of devices. There’s a standard commissioning method (typically scanning a QR code) that works across all Matter devices, so onboarding new gadgets is straightforward. Once on the network, devices can be controlled from any ecosystem simultaneously. Matter’s multi-admin feature  allows multiple apps/platforms to share control of the same device at the same time – for instance, a Matter smart plug could be managed by Amazon Alexa and Google Home simultaneously without re-pairing. This flexibility lets users mix and match platforms (or allow multiple family members to use their preferred assistants) for a truly frictionless experience. As AWS IoT experts note, Matter provides unified device management across ecosystems, eliminating the need for product-specific apps. The result is a more intuitive and hassle-free smart home  that encourages broader adoption. Cost Savings & Simplified Development:  For device manufacturers, Matter dramatically streamlines product development and support. Instead of engineering and certifying separate versions of a device for different ecosystems (one for Apple’s HomeKit, another for Works with Alexa, etc.), vendors can invest in a single Matter integration and certification  that covers all platforms. This reduces engineering effort, testing, and maintenance overhead. It also simplifies inventory since one SKU can serve all markets. Additionally, Matter’s specification is open-source with a royalty-free SDK, which lowers licensing costs and provides a common foundation to build on. Overall, adopting Matter can cut time-to-market and long-term support costs, letting companies focus more on innovation and product quality rather than chasing multiple standards. Real-World Momentum and Early Adopters Matter only officially launched in late 2022, but it has gained significant momentum in the smart home industry. Every major smart home platform has rolled out support for Matter.  In fact, most ecosystem providers enabled Matter compatibility via software updates to their existing hubs and speakers in 2023. For example, Apple’s HomePod Mini, Google’s Nest Hub, Amazon Echo devices, and Samsung SmartThings hubs all now act as Matter controllers (and Thread border routers in many cases) to onboard and manage Matter devices. This means if you buy a new Matter-enabled smart bulb or door sensor, you can set it up directly using any of these platforms. Consumers no longer have to worry about whether a device is “Works with Alexa” or “Works with Google” – if it’s Matter-certified, it works with all . On the device side, hundreds of products across many categories  are quickly becoming Matter-compatible. The Matter 1.4 specification (released Nov 2024) expanded support to cover most common smart home device types, including lights, plugs, locks, thermostats, blinds, sensors, TVs, appliances, and more. Forward-looking manufacturers like Nanoleaf, Eve, and Philips Hue have announced firmware updates or new models to bring Matter support to their lighting and sensor products, and many new devices are launching with Matter out-of-the-box. While not every legacy device is upgraded yet, the trend is clear – Matter is rapidly becoming the baseline for connectivity in new smart home gadgets. The standard’s promise of local control, better security, and cross-platform control  is driving broad industry adoption and investment. (It’s worth noting that Matter coexists with existing technologies: for example, bridges can link non-IP devices (like Zigbee or Z-Wave sensors) into a Matter network. This helps protect consumers’ existing device investments during the transition to Matter.) Key Technical Features of the Matter Protocol From an engineering perspective, Matter introduces a modern, robust foundation for IoT devices. Some of its notable technical features include: IP-Based Networking (IPv6):  Unlike traditional home automation protocols that are vendor-specific, Matter runs over standard Internet Protocol. Matter devices are IP-addressable and communicate using IPv6, whether over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Thread wireless mesh. Thread is a low-power IEEE 802.15.4 mesh network that Matter uses for sensors and other low-bandwidth devices, while Wi-Fi/Ethernet support higher bandwidth needs – and Matter unifies them at the application layer. By leveraging IP, Matter devices can talk to each other on the local network without proprietary hubs, and they can also interface with cloud services as needed using common networking (e.g. HTTP, mDNS for service discovery). This IP foundation makes Matter networks highly scalable and reliable, and eases integration with existing IT infrastructure. Plus, local IP control ensures your smart home stays functional even if the internet is down. Multi-Admin and Multi-Fabric Support:  Matter introduces the concept of fabrics , which are like secure home networks for Matter devices. A fabric can have one or more administrators  (controllers) that manage devices. With Matter’s multi-admin capability, a single device can join multiple fabrics – meaning it can be controlled by more than one smart home system at the same time. Technically, a device holds secure credentials for each admin/controller (for example, one for your Apple Home and one for your Alexa). This feature is groundbreaking in that it breaks the old one-ecosystem silo model. You could set up a Matter smart plug with Apple HomeKit and still allow Amazon Alexa to access it, for instance. Matter takes care of ensuring consistent state and security across these connections. For product developers, multi-admin means they no longer have to choose which ecosystems to support – they support Matter and automatically get compatibility with all, concurrently. Secure by Design Architecture:  Security is a first-class element in Matter’s architecture. Every device must go through cryptographic attestation  when joining a network. As mentioned, manufacturers embed a Device Attestation Certificate (DAC) in each device, signed by a trusted Product Attestation Authority, which the onboarding controller checks against the CSA’s Distributed Compliance Ledger (a blockchain-based registry of certified devices). Only authentic, certified devices are allowed to join. Communication is protected at all stages with strong encryption (using AES-128 and SHA-256 in Matter’s secure messaging), and there are no default passwords  – pairing requires a per-device setup code and an exchange of cryptographic keys (PASE and CASE protocols for commissioning and operational sessions). Matter also enforces fine-grained access control: devices carry Access Control Lists that specify which other devices/users can control them and in what way. Combined, these measures ensure trusted devices, secure control, and encrypted communication  throughout the system. For the end user, this means a much harder target for hackers – a compromised camera or bulb cannot be used to infiltrate your network, and rogue devices can’t just join without permission. For product makers, Matter’s security framework provides a clear path to implementing best-in-class IoT security without having to invent it from scratch. Standardized Setup and Operation:  Matter defines a uniform device data model and interaction model, based on a cluster (feature) library much like Zigbee’s. This means a light bulb or door lock from different vendors will expose the same standard functionality to controllers. Developers can use the open-source Matter SDK (under Apache license) to implement the standard device behaviors, which accelerates development and ensures interoperability. Device commissioning is standardized too – typically using Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi for initial onboarding, initiated by a QR code or numeric code. This consistent approach simplifies the user experience and reduces support issues. Matter also supports OTA (over-the-air) updates  and mandatory compliance testing, so devices can be updated for improvements or security patches in a controlled way. All these technical choices contribute to Matter’s goals of simplicity, reliability, and interoperability  at scale. (In summary, Matter’s technical stack combines the reliability of local networking  with the convenience of a unified application layer , plus a secure handshake and messaging protocol  that every device must adhere to. It’s a huge leap from the patchwork of IoT standards we had before.)