With the rapid growth in AI implementation it would be fantastic for integration if users could utilise AI through the app to write device drivers to integrate non SS devices.
Does anyone know if this is feasible and if Smartthings are looking at this. I appreciate that some devices don’t expose all attributes but I am sure many do.
Integration is currently the reserve of those interested in tinkering and learning code but many end users just want to add a new smart bulb to their smart home and not have to hack their device or find workarounds
Zigbee was a mess and the way things worked meant some custom handling was needed for pretty much everything or the device simply didn’t work.
With Matter, things have changed radically and the stock drivers are getting more dynamic features so there’s less need for custom drivers except for more advanced functionality (or some basic functionality surprisingly missing in SmartThings like transitions or steps in smart lights). There are still vendors like Tuya-based ones that have bad implementations but even they understand they have to comply with the standards since in Matter people not necessarily use Tuya Matter controllers.
What SmartThings lacks is a way to extend functionality without having to create a full-blown driver for the device. Take the increase a light brightness a 10%, a missing feature from ST, you just need to send the Step command with a value or add a value to the current brightness. I would expect a simple routine or a rule to be able to do that. Or some kind of plugins for the device that would add the capability with the commands and run the action instead of having to replace the whole humongous matter-switch driver.
If you have a suitable hub (I always recommend investing in a hub, ideally SmartThings) and choose supported devices (there are lots of supported bulbs, etc.) no tinkering, hacking, workarounds, rocket science, or AI is required. Diligence and patience is recommended.
Thanks @jaidank Yes there are but to truly get more people to use smart home devices connection and integration needs to be seamless and easy. Forum members such as yourself have put yourself out to learn about Smarthings and integration of devices. I would hazard to guess you like many others on this forum have some sort of technical perhaps IT background and like tinkering. Things are getting easier with thread but I dare say you have used IDE in the past to get things working? Many people don’t have the knowledge, time or inclination to research if a device they see in a supermarket or online is compatible with SmartThings. They just want to buy it and connect it to their chosen hub and it to work without effort. I was throwing out there the use of AI to make integration work easily ![]()
You make some good points @FozzieBear .
Yes, I spent my career in software development, and this has been useful as I work with SmartThings.
I am retired now and have limited budget for home automation. I am also fairly risk adverse.
I choose my devices very carefully, researching what works with SmartThings, or can be made to work with SmartThings. I have no time or money to buy devices that are destined to live in a drawer.
With the exception of Alexa, I personally have no time for other hubs and cloud integration. I need a locally executing robust system. SmartThings gives me that.
There are many more knowledgeable member on this forum but I believe that home automation is not yet plug and play. Maybe Matter will deliver this, eventually.
In the meantime, those knowledgeable and skilled members, with their custom Edge drivers, provide support for a huge number of devices, making SmartThings a great environment.
Those are just my thoughts.