With the latest software update to iOS 18.4 and tvOS 18.4, Apple has added robot vacuum cleaners to its smart home ecosystem. For the first time, the household robots can now be controlled via Apple Home and Siri – a promise that the iPhone company already made at the WWDC developer conference in June 2024.
As Apple relies on Matter for integration, corresponding models are a prerequisite for control. There is no HomeKit category for this purpose. Instead, the connection runs via the cross-manufacturer standard and Apple even accepts successful Matter certification as the basis for its own “Works with” program.
Vacuum robot manufacturers roll out their updates
Many robot manufacturers are using the release of iOS 18.4 as an opportunity to start delivering their own Matter updates. Some products, such as the Switchbot S10, already support the standard. However, the majority of providers seem to have waited for Apple. Roborock announced today that it will be distributing the corresponding firmware for seven models by 10 April 2025: S8 MaxV Ultra, Saros Z70, Saros 10, Saros 10R, Qrevo Curve, Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Master. The exact software versions can be found in the press release (link). Further models from the brand are to follow.
Ecovacs told the tech magazine “The Verge” (link) that it will do the same and deliver Matter-compatible firmware for models such as the Deebot X2, X2 Combo, T50, T50 Max and X8. iRobot has also spoken out and announced a timely update for its Roomba Combo 10 Max. For an overview, we recommend our list of Matter-enabled devices.
These Matter platforms support robot vacuum cleaners
In addition to Apple Home, Amazon Alexa (link), Home Assistant (link) and SmartThings (link) can also handle Matter-enabled vacuum robots. Google is likely to be close, but has not yet added the product category, according to the release notes in the developer area (link). However, vacuum cleaners already exist as a virtual device for testing purposes. Matter Controllers on other platforms may also lack the function, although vacuum robots have been included as standard since Matter 1.2 (October 2023). This says a lot about the development mechanisms – because several conditions must be met for Matter-friendly house cleaning.
For one thing, there is the control system: it needs to be based on a Matter release with the corresponding product category. In this case, Matter 1.2 or higher. However, a platform that supports version 1.2 is not necessarily capable of vacuuming or mopping. It may use 1.2 for other included device types such as air purifiers and sensors.
What’s more, development has not stood still. In Matter 1.4, new functions were added that make using the vacuum cleaner more convenient. A Matter ecosystem that is on version 1.2 or 1.3 cannot use them until it has been updated as well. The same applies to robot hoovers: early devices such as the Switchbot models were certified under Matter 1.2. The latest Roborock and Ecovacs vacuum cleaners are launching on the market with 1.4.
What functions are available?
The Matter specification divides device functions and commands into so-called clusters. Three clusters are relevant for vacuum and mopping robots: RVC Run Mode, RVC Clean Mode and RVC Operational State. The Run Mode defines the device’s operating modes – idle, cleaning or mapping. Clean mode specifies which ways of cleaning are available, such as vacuuming, whisper mode, deep cleaning and mopping. While the Operational State takes care of things like starting, stopping and resuming a program. The command to return to the base station is also found here.
A new addition in Matter 1.4 is the Service Area Cluster. It provides an interface for controlling zones in which the appliance is to work. This is a helpful feature if robots are not simply supposed to run a set cleaning program at startup or stubbornly vacuum the entire home. The areas are not necessarily the rooms of the smart home system, but rather zones that are defined in the robot manufacturer’s app. A voice assistant such as Siri then steers the robot hoover to the desired area on command. This may be one reason why Apple waited so long to implement the product category. The original integration of vacuum robots from Matter 1.2 was just too rudimentary for the company.
In terms of floor care with Matter, this means that the range of functions currently depends on these factors. Which Matter version does the vacuum and mopping robot have? What is the current status of the control system? And how are the clusters implemented on the Matter controller? Over time, however, these differences will level out – just as they have done with lamps and light bulbs. A steady influx of Matter-compatible vacuum robots make sure of that. The number of new announcements is already greater than in other product categories. And Matter‘s entry into lower robot vacuum price ranges has not even begun.
Share this information:
