2020 was an extremely challenging year for everyone. At Thread Group, we are grateful for our members' commitment to advancing IoT and flexibility in adapting to different ways of working together - virtual everything!
As we kick off 2021, we would like to highlight some key advances for Thread.
Case Studies
Our case studies showcase how Thread technology is being used in the market and we had many great examples to share this year. Each case study focuses on a company’s Thread-based product and digs into the challenges faced, the paths pursued to address these challenges, and the end solution. Below are some highlights from 2020. For a complete list, please visit our “Built for IoT” section.
Certified Products
Our certifications pipeline has been strong, and we now have 28 Thread Certified Components and 13 Built on Thread end products, including the first certified product for Commercial Buildings with Siemens’ battery-operated radiator valve. We’ve also seen the first consumer products using Apple HomeKit with Thread, including the Nanoleaf Essentials Light Bulb and Lightstrip, the Eve Energy Smart Plug & Power Meter, and the Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor.
Thread In the News
On the news front, it has been exciting to see new products launched to the smart home market with plans to enable Thread, driving strong coverage from press, analysts and bloggers. Below are some recent examples. For a full list, please visit our “News & Events” section.
IoT Standards Collaboration
Thread was created from the beginning to bring the internet to small devices. As a network transport layer that’s compatible with any or many application layers, we have stayed focused on our IP vision and collaborated with our IoT standards organizations to drive convergence.
- Zigbee Alliance - As one of the initial IP-based network transports that Project Connected Home over IP will support, Thread is in the market today and based on proven technologies. As such, Thread Group members have demonstrated implementations of Thread with the developing Project CHIP technology, examples of which can be accessed through the Project CHIP GitHub repository.
- IP-BLiS (IP Building and Lighting Standards) - The benefits Thread brings with its IP foundation extend beyond the home into smart buildings. With that in mind, Thread Group joined forces with other leading IoT Standards Organizations - BACnet, KNX, OCF and Zigbee Alliance - to create an organization of standards organizations with a goal of uniting on an IP backbone for the building automation market. IP-BLiS was launched in June 2020 and has recently added the DALI Alliance to its efforts.
There is no doubt that 2021 will present new challenges for us all, but as we start the new year, we foresee continued momentum in the smart home and building automation markets. We also look forward to the rollout of more HomeKit over Thread products; the introduction of Project CHIP and Project CHIP-based products for consumers; and the availability of building application framework standards over Thread for commercial building connectivity.
By continuing to build on Thread’s networking technology and our mission to advance IoT, we are confident that the Thread Group will meet any obstacles that might come our way and maintain its strong momentum and growth of Thread adoption.