Busch-Jaeger (link), the German subsidiary of the ABB Group, presents a touchscreen with many talents. The control panel is first and foremost a command center for the in-house building control system free@home. As such, it has an integrated System Access Point for ABB products, similar to the Access Point 2.0 that has been available for some time. With its seven-inch display, the OneTouch 7 can also serve as an indoor station for door communication with ABB Welcome or display images from third-party IP cameras.
The Busch OneTouch 7″ in use with Matter
The fact that ABB is open to the Matter standard has been clear since the acquisition of Eve Systems in June 2023 at the latest. The company is working on integrating Matter into its systems. The software extension for free@home – a certified add-on that transforms the access point into a Matter Bridge – was first launched in summer 2024. The Matter Controller feature is currently still under development. It can be tested as a beta version (link) and its release is planned for mid-2025.
Both add-ons also work on the new OneTouch 7, with the access point in the touch panel identical to the external box. However, there is one hardware difference: the bus terminal for wired free@home products is missing on the OneTouch 7. Only wireless components from the ABB range can therefore be put into operation with the panel alone. Those who want to add devices with a bus line can expand the installation with an Access Point 2.0.
Thread products require a Border Router
For Matter products with Thread radio – such as those from Eve – a Border Router is also necessary. The devices are first commissioned to an Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub or comparable controller and then connected to the access point via the Multi-Admin feature of the respective platform. The controller add-on currently supports products from the categories light, power, thermostats, shading and sensors.
Their number is currently limited to 16 (as of January 2025). Compared to the 150 free@home participants that a OneTouch 7 can control, this is a modest number. However, Matter is not intended to replace the Busch-Jaeger system, but to expand it – for example with smart plugs, radiator controllers or battery-operated blinds. The smart home standard complements the existing integrations of cooperation partners such as Miele, Ledvance, Philips Hue and Sonos.
The OneTouch 7 is available in black and white – at a list price of 700 euros plus VAT. It can be mounted on the wall with a surface-mounted or flush-mounted box, and the manufacturer offers an aluminum table stand as an accessory.
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