Arduino and Silicon Labs collaborate to make the Matter protocol more accessible

Arduino and Silicon Labs (SiLabs) have announced a development collaboration for both IoT enthusiasts and professionals that promises to revolutionize access to the Matter protocol. This initiative will unfold in two main phases and will open a new era of innovation.

CES 2024: a new era in IoT development begins

At CES 2024, Arduino and SiLabs presented the first part of their ambitious project. The first stage of the collaboration marks the release of the Arduino library, which will be created to support the Matter protocol in the Arduino core for SiLabs microcontrollers. In the Arduino IDE, such integration is a significant step forward that will make IoT development more accessible than ever.

“Our partnership with Arduino provides simplicity and ease of programming for Silicon Labs developers and the 40 million Arduino users. By integrating Matter with the Arduino ecosystem, we’re opening up a universe of possibilities for developers,” said Rob Shane, Vice President of Global Mass Markets at Silicon Labs.

This isn’t just an announcement about new tools, it’s a statement of intent to make IoT technology more accessible to a wider range of users.

Get started now, use your existing devices in Matter

In expectation of the next phase of collaboration, the Arduino community can start experimenting with the Matter protocol on existing boards. SparkFun has created a great platform for this and users will benefit from exploring the potential of Matter with Arduino. You can download the new kernel ​ to start experimenting with SiLabs xG24 Explorer Kit and SparkFun Thing Plus Matter.

“We are excited to implement Matter to support IoT applications. Bringing Matter to Arduino is a massive undertaking and will make Matter even more accessible to engineers and innovators around the world. This is another important step forward in compatibility and improving our interaction with devices.” – Glen Samala, CEO of SparkFun

The next stage is the release of a revolutionary board for developers in time for Arduino Day celebrations

The second phase, planned for Arduino Day in March 2024, will culminate in the release of an addition to the Nano family of boards based on the SiLabs MGM240SD22VNA. This board is expected to be a game-changer in IoT, offering unparalleled ease of use and new capabilities.

What this means for the Arduino community

The collaboration between Arduino and SiLabs that led to these releases is an important step in making IoT technologies more accessible. Combining the easy-to-use Arduino interface with the powerful capabilities of SiLabs technology and the versatility of the Matter protocol is a great recipe for such innovation.

A look into the future

We are looking forward to these releases and the anticipation among the Arduino community is already palpable. After all, this cooperation concerns not only new products; it’s about empowering a whole generation of developers and breaking barriers and opening new horizons in the world of IoT.