Aqara, a leader in smart home technology, has unveiled its latest voice control system, the Voice Mate H1. Unlike most voice assistants that are always listening, this system only activates when you pick up a small puck-shaped device. This innovative approach offers greater privacy, as the microphones remain off until physically triggered.
Alongside the Voice Mate H1, Aqara introduced several new products at the IFA tech show, including the Camera Hub G5 Pro, their first outdoor camera compatible with Apple's HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV). Other announcements include a smart garage door opener, a valve shut-off controller, and new smart switches designed exclusively for the European market. Pricing and release dates for these products are yet to be confirmed.
Privacy-focused voice control
Traditional smart speakers and phones constantly listen for wake words, making them easy to control but potentially intrusive. Aqara's Voice Mate H1 takes a different approach. It only activates its microphone when the puck-like device is picked up, giving you more control over when it listens. The system is integrated with Aqara Co-Pilot, the company's advanced assistant powered by large language models (LLM). You can control your smart home devices and execute specific scenes using natural language commands, though the device doesn't have speakers, meaning it won't talk back. While this sacrifices the convenience of hands-free use, it provides a sense of privacy that other systems lack.
The Voice Mate H1 requires Aqara's Hub M3 to function. This hub is a central device in Aqara's smart home ecosystem, serving as a Matter bridge and Thread border router. The Hub M3 also supports advanced Matter bridging, allowing Aqara's powerful automation features to work with other Matter-compatible devices, such as Apple Home and Google Home.
Aqara's new outdoor camera
Aqara's Camera Hub G5 Pro is another exciting release. It's the company's first outdoor camera compatible with Apple HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV). The camera can connect through Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz). It offers 1520p resolution, although this drops to 1080p when using it via Apple Home. Other key features include colour night vision, a spotlight, a siren, and a 133-degree field of view.
Aqara has prioritised security with the G5 Pro, ensuring end-to-end encryption for footage, even when it's used outside of HKSV. The camera features encrypted eMMC storage, with options to sync recordings to a cloud (either Aqara's service for a fee or iCloud) or a local NAS system for free. Interestingly, the G5 Pro is also Aqara's first camera that can record using RTSP for direct integration with network video recorders. It doesn't include microSD storage but makes up for this with its network recording options.
In terms of AI capabilities, the G5 Pro offers on-device detection for faces, vehicles, pets, and packages, which trigger the video recording. It also supports Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings and works as a Zigbee hub and Matter bridge, making it one of the most versatile outdoor smart home hubs available.
Other products at IFA
In addition to the Voice Mate H1 and Camera Hub G5 Pro, Aqara showcased several other smart home products. The LED Bulb T2 series is Aqara's first smart bulb range that operates on Thread and Zigbee, offering colour and white light options. The Light Switch H2 series, designed for European users, also supports Thread and Zigbee, offering flexibility regarding smart home protocols. These switches are compatible with or without a neutral wire, providing features like power monitoring and overload protection.
Aqara also launched its first smart garage door opener, the Garage Door Controller T2 Kit, which supports Matter and can control up to two doors. With the help of wireless sensors, users can control the garage doors remotely through the Aqara app or set them to open automatically based on location using geofencing. The Valve Controller T1, a retrofit shut-off valve for water and gas pipes, can be set to close automatically if a smart sensor detects a leak, adding a layer of safety to your home.
All these innovations show Aqara's commitment to building a complete smart home ecosystem. With its broad compatibility, privacy-focused devices, and support for the growing Matter standard, Aqara is solidifying its position as a key player in the smart home market.
