Announced by the Home Connect Alliance at CES 2023 earlier this year, the C2C cloud docking method is the official standard.First version of the HCA interface specification, it was earlier confirmed that it will be adopted by partners starting from the fourth quarter of this year and will continue to be promoted in 2024. At the same time, it will continue to call on more home appliance manufacturers to join.
The Home Connectivity Alliance stated that the HCA interface specification will drive more home appliance interconnection application advantages and also lay the foundation for smart home energy management.
Due to the differences in the corresponding functions and network platforms used by the apps for connected home appliances from different brands, in the past, home appliances could only be turned on or off through simple commands, but more detailed functions such as adjusting the temperature, setting the fan swing angle, or turning on a specific TV channel were impossible. However, this time, through C2C cloud docking, the cloud platforms behind the corresponding apps for connected home appliances from different brands are connected in series. This allows the corresponding functions of different apps to be used through software-defined methods, thereby achieving the goal of linking specific functions between home appliances across brands.
In this way, users can use a single app to specify the operation of all connected home appliances in the home that support the Home Connect Alliance protocol. At the same time, they don’t have to worry about whether different brands of connected home appliances in the home must be operated through individual apps. They don’t even need to use a single app for migration, which results in only being able to purchase products of the same brand, thereby affecting the convenience of use and flexibility of choice. It also makes it easier for developers to create application services.
In version 1.0 of the HCA interface specification, cloud-based interconnected operations are emphasized. Therefore, supported smart appliances will not require additional hub accessories. All that is required is to update the existing smart appliance app or use the app through existing corresponding HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment to operate all smart appliances that have joined the specification.
However, the actual app update time will vary according to the smart home appliance brand or in response to different market development strategies.
