Aqara Announces a Wave of New Smart Home Products at IFA 2023

By: Author James Smythe

Posted on 31st August 2023

You are here: News

Aqara, a major player in the smart home industry, is set to make a splash at this year's IFA show by unveiling a suite of groundbreaking devices. With its booth positioned at H22, 214, Aqara is more than ready to showcase its latest offerings to the public. As a brand that's always committed to bringing smart home automation to households globally, the company will be introducing five fresh gadgets expected to hit the market in the near future.

Before we delve into the specifics of each product, it's worth noting how Aqara continues to broaden its reach. The company is on a quest to make smart home technology universally accessible, by continually adding new devices to its extensive catalogue. This commitment shines through in the quintet of new products they're previewing at the IFA show, each designed to meet various home automation requirements.

First up is the Smart Lock U200, aimed at retrofitting traditional locks and offering keyless entry. This isn't your run-of-the-mill smart lock; it's Aqara’s first to feature Matter-over-Thread compatibility. What does that mean? Essentially, it promises to play well with an array of other smart home ecosystems. Unlocking can be done via an Aqara NFC card, specific NFC-enabled mobile devices, or other options such as auto-unlock, fingerprints, PIN codes, and mobile apps. Furthermore, Aqara is planning a Kickstarter campaign later this year to fund this innovation.

Next on the list is the Camera E1, a 2K, Pan/Tilt camera designed for indoor surveillance. With support for leading third-party platforms like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, it's as versatile as it is powerful. It builds on Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 technologies for a smoother live viewing experience. Additionally, the E1 offers AI-enabled person detection, tracking capabilities, and various storage options, from cloud to microSD card and NAS storage.

The Dual Relay Module T2 is another jack-of-all-trades, designed for comprehensive home automation. Whether you're looking to control lighting, window coverings, or heating systems, this module has you covered. Based on Zigbee 3.0 with Matter-over-bridge support, it is compatible with multiple third-party platforms. Safety features like overheat and overload protection come standard, along with configurable power limits.

Joining the smart lighting scene is Aqara’s Ceiling Light T1M, a follow-up to their LED Strip T1 announced earlier in August. With a diameter of about 50 cm, this ceiling light can display a dazzling array of 16 million colours and various shades of white. Moreover, its RGB ring can serve as a status light for home automation triggers, like indicating an open door or water leak.

Last but not least, Aqara introduces an EU-style wall outlet to offer remote control over plugged devices and track their energy consumption. The smart socket goes beyond just turning your devices on or off. It can sense the status of plugged-in appliances and use it as a trigger for other automation scenarios. For instance, dimming the lights and closing the curtains when you turn on your TV. As a Zigbee network repeater, it also improves network reliability.

Aqara’s showcase at this year’s IFA is a clear indicator of the brand’s commitment to expanding its range of smart home products. With these new additions, Aqara continues to set the bar high in a market that demands innovation, compatibility, and functionality. As these products become available for order in the coming months, I can't wait to get my hands on them for a more in-depth review. Until then, keep an eye on Aqara’s booth if you're attending the IFA show, and stay tuned for more updates.

I am a UK tech blogger and have been in the industry for over 10 years now, running Mighty Gadget and its sister sites and contributing to other sites around the web. I am passionate about all tech, including mobile, wearables, and home automation. I am also a fitness fanatic, so I cover as much fitness tech as possible.

Follow me on Strava

Posted on 31st August 2023

Categories News, IFA 2023, Smart Home & Home Automation News & Reviews

Tags