February 2026 – Matter 1.4 Specification Released
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has released Matter 1.4, the latest version of the smart home interoperability standard. This release includes significant enhancements to occupancy sensing, making it easier for PIR sensor manufacturers to create Matter-compatible devices.
New Occupancy Sensing Features
Configurable Sensitivity
Matter 1.4 adds the ability to configure sensor sensitivity through the standard. Users can now adjust how responsive their PIR sensors are, either through the device itself or through their smart home platform of choice. This is particularly useful for fine-tuning sensors in different environments.
Hold Time Configuration
The new specification includes standard attributes for configuring hold time (how long the sensor stays in “occupied” state after last detection). This allows users to set appropriate delays for different rooms – longer for bathrooms, shorter for hallways.
Multiple Occupancy Sensor Types
Matter 1.4 officially supports PIR, ultrasonic, and microwave sensor types, allowing devices to report which technology they use. This enables advanced automation logic that can consider the characteristics of each sensor type.
Zone Information
For sensors with multiple detection zones (like the new Panasonic PaPIRs+ with 416 zones), Matter 1.4 provides a framework for reporting zone-level occupancy. This enables more sophisticated automations, such as lighting only the part of a room that is occupied.
Benefits for PIR Sensor Manufacturers
The enhanced occupancy cluster makes it easier for manufacturers to create Matter-compatible PIR sensors. Key benefits include:
- Standardized configuration parameters reduce development time
- Interoperability with all Matter-certified platforms (Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, etc.)
- Future-proof design as the standard evolves
- Reduced customer support issues due to standardized behavior
Implementation Example
// Example Matter occupancy sensor configuration
occupancy-sensor {
type = "PIR";
features = "sensitivity-configurable", "hold-time-configurable";
sensitivity-range = [0, 100];
default-sensitivity = 70;
hold-time-range = [5, 600]; // seconds
default-hold-time = 30;
}
Certification Requirements
PIR sensors claiming Matter 1.4 compliance must pass certification testing, which now includes tests for the new occupancy features. The CSA has published updated test harnesses and certification policies.
Availability
The Matter 1.4 specification is available now for CSA members. Devices with Matter 1.4 certification are expected to appear in the market by late 2026.
Industry Reactions
Major PIR sensor manufacturers have welcomed the update. “Standardizing occupancy sensor configuration is a huge step forward for the industry,” said a spokesperson from a leading sensor company. “It means consumers can expect consistent behavior regardless of which brand they choose.”