The Z-Wave Alliance hosted a dedicated Ballroom at Titian 2205 for innovation, panels, and exhibits during CES 2026. The event featured Fireside Chat panels on smart locks, User Credential Command Class, and next-generation sensors. It also included a press breakfast, networking receptions, and member tabletop exhibits.
Showcased companies included CleverK9, FireAvert, Silicon Labs, Siterwell, Vision, and Zooz. The presence emphasized standards development, interoperability, and Z-Wave ecosystem advancements.
CleverK9, FireAvert, Silicon Labs, Siterwell, Vision, and Zooz highlighted advancements in standards, interoperability, and innovation within the growing Z-Wave ecosystem.
A Fireside Chat panel took place on Tuesday, January 6, focused on Dominating Smart Locks with Z-Wave User Credential Command Class. It was moderated by Tim Albright and featured representatives from ADT, Alarm.com, Fortune Brands/Yale, and Silicon Labs. The discussion centered on collaboration to develop the new command class and achieve certification.
Panelists highlighted the process of identifying market needs and translating them into ecosystem capabilities. They also covered advancements in next-generation sensors for lighting, climate, safety, and security applications.
FireAvert launched Z-Wave compatible Auto-Stove Shut Off Devices aimed at fire prevention. Zooz demonstrated its Z-Wave Long Range Motion Dimmer Switch, Siren & Chime, and showcased over 30 certified products. Exhibitors also included CleverK9, Silicon Labs, Siterwell, Vision, WePower, and XThings.
Products spanned safety sensors, lighting controls, gateways, and various IoT applications. The focus was on introducing new categories, enhancing interconnectivity, and enabling custom sound playback.
There are now 125+ certified Z-Wave Long Range, or ZWLR, devices on the market. Adoption is accelerating in residential, multifamily, and commercial buildings. 80% of the certification pipeline products are seeking ZWLR approval.
ZWLR offers wider coverage, improved reliability, and a simplified star-network architecture. It supports the S2 security framework, which guarantees encrypted communication and authenticated onboarding.
The 2025B specification introduced a new feature called Wake on Event End Node, or WOEEN. This enables self-powered, maintenance-free devices for the first time. It represents a transformative update in Z-Wave history.
WePower announced the industry’s first ZWLR device under the WOEEN class. This development expands the Z-Wave ecosystem for broader IoT applications. Unlike Matter’s local-first architecture, Z-Wave has traditionally emphasized decentralized control without cloud dependencies.
Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance, discussed Z-Wave innovations for the security industry at CES 2026. He highlighted the growth in certified products and the expansion into new sectors such as oil/gas, agriculture, and shipping.
He addressed the ongoing conflict with NextNav over the 900 MHz band and detailed efforts to petition the FCC. He emphasized the importance of the NPRM spectrum changes and voiced opposition to licensing the lower 900 MHz band.
Rosenthal noted that WOEEN represents a major step forward for the ecosystem.
The industry faces challenges due to NextNav’s petition, which threatens the 900 MHz spectrum used by Z-Wave devices. Multiple industries are affected, including various IoT alliances. The Z-Wave Alliance is advocating for the FCC to reject proposed spectrum rule changes.
The focus remains on promoting local intelligence, data privacy, and system resilience during outages. The Alliance continues to promote open standards and reduce reliance on cloud infrastructure for security and reliability.
125+ certified ZWLR devices are now available, underscoring rapid adoption across multiple building types.
Batteryless devices, which activate only when touched or moved, are now being deployed across multiple use cases, marking a shift toward batteryless technology as a cornerstone of sustainable IoT innovation.
References
- https://z-wavealliance.org/ces-2026-recap-z-wave-alliance-showcases-z-wave-technology-innovation-collaboration-and-advancements/
- https://security.world/z-wave-alliance-ces-2026-ballroom-to-host-expert-panels-and-exhibitors/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZtb2vZGxG0
- https://www.iotinsider.com/events/ces-2026-z-wave-alliance-sees-surge-in-long-range-smart-home-tech/
- https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/behind-the-business/companies-to-watch-2026
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wepower-technologies-announces-industry-first-z-wave-long-range-device-under-new-woeen-class-302653976.html
