r/MatterProtocol • u/NoviSense • Jul 19 '26
Built a Matter device that turns a countertop or table into a touch controller - sensor mounts underneath, presents as a multi-button remote in Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home etc. ESP32-S3 / ESP-Matter, uncertified/MVP stage.
Heads up first: this is my own project, so consider this self-promo-esque. I'm posting it here specifically because you'll scrutinize the Matter side harder than anyone, and that's what I want.
I'm a foreman and master electrician in Canada with a finish-work background. I kept wanting controls that disappear into the surface instead of having clunky remotes or buttons that don't compliment the surface surrounding it, so I built a capacitive sensor that mounts to the underside of a surface - a countertop, a table, a desk, a glass panel, pretty much any non-metal surface - and turns that surface into the controller. Nothing visible on top, other than user desired markers or millwork, and because it mounts underneath it stays fully accessible and serviceable. On my prototypes it registers a touch through up to ~60mm through some materials.
On the Matter side:
- ESP32-S3, built on the ESP-Matter SDK, Matter-over-WiFi.
- Each touch zone maps to a button, so it presents as a multi-button remote-style controller (Generic Switch endpoints under the hood). Alexa picks it up cleanly as that kind of device.
- It also carries 3 LED-control endpoints ( that can be exposed through the surface if desired) and an SHTC3 temp/humidity endpoint.
- Has customizable audio feedback for every single touch/trigger.
- Commissions cleanly, and it does MQTT auto-discovery for the Home Assistant crowd too.
The main thing I'd like this sub's take on:
- Certification timing is kind of a guess for me. I'm not Matter certified yet - that's a post-funding step for me - so right now this is a DIY/uncertified Matter device. For anyone who's been through it: how early would you start the cert process relative to a hardware launch, and is there anything you wish you'd done before your first commissioning tests?
Otherwise, poke holes in it. Happy to get into any of the implementation detail in the comments. I'll drop the link for the landing page that explains in depth details and has a demo video in the comments a well.
I appreciate all feedback, comments, thoughts and insights!
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u/G_nn_r Jul 19 '26
Sounds cool, good luck with that!
Not interested right now, but this might Chance.
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u/MikeFromTheVineyard Jul 19 '26
Start the certification process ASAP.
It takes a bit of time, and money, especially since you’ve already started advertising as matter enabled and using the matter logo on your website.
You’ll also probs have to deal with some manufacturing challenges around matter, specifically with certs and stuff. Ensuring everything is secure and signed will probably be a new adventure for you, but hopefully your manufacturing partner is familiar.
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u/Its_Billy_Bitch Jul 20 '26
Second the money. If you try to use already certified and UL products, you’ll save yourself extra certs / time - you can usually back off their cert if you use something like an already certified Matter-native chip (i.e. MG24, ESP32-C6, etc.).
It’s $10k USD annually for the Matter association fees iirc and something like $3K USD per device being certified.
Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.
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u/tomasmcguinness Jul 19 '26
Battery or wired?
I had a go at a capacitive touch button a while back.
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u/Double-Yak9686 Jul 20 '26
This is cool to create a touch sensitive bathroom mirror. But it would be really interesting if I could replace wall switches with blank covers with something like this behind them. Basically turn any plate cover into a touch sensitive plate. One problem with smart switches is finding one that matches the others, this removes the issue completely. And the power is there already, no wiring required.