TL;DR
Get backup power and energy gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Inovelli has begun developing the VTM32-SN, a Matter-over-Thread wall switch with built-in 24 GHz mmWave presence sensing, extending its Project Linus design into the White Series. Beta samples are planned for November–December testing, with mass production targeted for March and features still subject to change.
Inovelli has started development of a new White Series mmWave switch that will bring presence sensing to its Matter-over-Thread lineup for the first time, according to a report by Matter Alpha. The device, designated VTM32-SN, extends the company’s existing Project Linus design into its Matter-enabled product family and is currently in the hardware design and firmware development stage, with mass production targeted for March 20.
The VTM32-SN follows Inovelli’s existing Linus switches, which are already available in the Zigbee Blue Series and Z-Wave Red Series, while moving connectivity to Matter over Thread. Like the current White Series Smart Dimmer, the switch is intended to operate in either dimmer or on/off mode.
The company is targeting power monitoring, smart bulb mode, configurable ramp rates and dimming limits, leading- and trailing-edge dimming, OTA updates, and multi-way installations. The current hardware design includes a responsive center-rest paddle, a configuration and favorite button, a fully addressable RGB LED bar, and built-in 24 GHz mmWave sensing. Inovelli is also investigating an integrated lux sensor. According to Matter Alpha, the device would also be one of the few that work without a neutral wire, a technically challenging design for optimizing Matter-over-Thread devices.
Development is taking place publicly. Inovelli has posted the initial product requirements and has opened the process to its community, including feature requests, beta testing, and regular project updates. The company says contributors whose ideas make it into the product may receive credit and a free device. Inovelli plans to build 15 beta samples and test them from November through December 20, with certification — including Matter certification — scheduled between December and February 1, 2027.
Closing the Presence-Sensing Gap in White Series
The mmWave model fills one of the more obvious gaps between the White Series and Inovelli’s other platforms. Blue and Red Series already include Project Linus presence-sensing dimmers, while the White Series has so far focused mainly on conventional load control. For buyers committed to Matter over Thread, the new switch would bring that capability into a standards-based ecosystem without requiring a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub.
Radar-based sensing can detect smaller movements than conventional PIR sensors, making it better at maintaining occupancy when someone is relatively still — a common failure point for motion-based lighting automation. Per Matter Alpha, Inovelli’s wall-dimmer design prioritizes reliable room occupancy over detailed spatial or multi-person tracking, distinguishing it from higher-frequency alternatives such as Aqara’s 60 GHz FP400, which offers finer spatial resolution.
The project also builds on Inovelli’s work around Matter binding, an area where the company has gone further than many Matter switch makers. Recent White Series beta firmware expanded device-to-device binding support with group binding, allowing a switch to target a Matter group rather than maintaining individual bindings to every light.
From 2-in-1 Switch to Full White Series
The White Series is Inovelli’s Matter-over-Thread counterpart to its established Blue Series (Zigbee) and Red Series (Z-Wave) lines. It began with the 2-in-1 switch, now sold as the White Series Smart Dimmer, which became Inovelli’s first Thread and Matter wall switch. The company has since expanded the lineup with an on/off switch with humidity sensing, a dedicated fan switch, and a fan/light canopy module.
On the standards side, Matter 1.6.1 introduces a newer Groupcast architecture intended to make multicast group control more complete and easier to manage, and the official SDK includes the Groupcast cluster along with updated access-control and group-key handling. Matter Alpha notes there is no indication yet that Project Linus will ship with Matter 1.6.1 or support the new Groupcast cluster, though the legacy cluster is deprecated in the latest spec, making a newer implementation likely at some point. Home Assistant is separately working on Matter 1.6.1 compatibility and native Groupcast support.
“The project is still at an early stage. Inovelli posted the first requirements and has again opened much of the development process to its community.”
— Matter Alpha report
Features, Dates, and Pricing Still in Flux
Inovelli cautions that both features and dates can change as development progresses, and the project is still at an early stage. The lux sensor is described as under investigation, not confirmed. Whether the VTM32-SN will ship with Matter 1.6.1 or support the new Groupcast cluster is unknown; Matter Alpha characterizes that as a possible direction rather than a confirmed feature.
No price or preorder date has been announced. The mass production target of March 20 and the certification window between December and February 1, 2027 are current plans rather than firm commitments.
Beta Samples and Certification Roadmap
Inovelli plans to build 15 beta samples and test them from November through December 20. Certification, including Matter certification, is scheduled between December and February 1, 2027, followed by production preparation and mass production targeted for March 20. Readers can follow the project through Inovelli’s forum, submit feature ideas, and volunteer for beta testing. Pricing and preorder details are expected closer to release.
Key Questions
What is the VTM32-SN?
It is Inovelli’s upcoming Matter-over-Thread wall switch with built-in 24 GHz mmWave presence sensing, part of the White Series. It extends the company’s Project Linus design — already available in Zigbee and Z-Wave versions — to Matter over Thread.
When will the switch be available?
Mass production is currently targeted for March 20, following beta testing in November and December and certification between December and February 1, 2027. Inovelli cautions that dates can change as development progresses.
How much will it cost?
No price or preorder date has been announced. Pricing details are expected closer to release.
How does mmWave sensing differ from PIR motion sensors?
Radar-based mmWave sensing can detect smaller movements than passive infrared (PIR) sensors, making it better at maintaining occupancy when a person is relatively still. However, false detection can occur in complex room settings, which is why Inovelli is running real-world beta testing.
Does it work without a neutral wire?
According to Matter Alpha, the device is intended to be one of the few that work without a neutral wire — a technically challenging design for Matter-over-Thread devices. This is a current hardware target and subject to change.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
