Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about local-first smart homes, privacy, and how One Raven works.
Does a smart home need internet to work?
- Most do. With cloud-based systems, even basic functions like turning on a light depend on internet access. One Raven works differently. Everything runs locally on your home server, so your home keeps functioning even when the internet doesn’t.
Can a smart home work without Wi-Fi?
- Yes - if it’s built correctly. One Raven uses Matter over Thread instead of Wi-Fi for device communication. Thread is a low-power mesh network designed specifically for smart homes. Faster, more reliable, and not dependent on your Wi-Fi being healthy.
Can smart homes be hacked?
- Any connected system can be a target. Most cloud-based smart homes are particularly vulnerable because all customer data sits in one central place. One Raven uses three layers of encryption, hardware-tied keys, and one-time-use messages. Each home is its own encrypted island, with no central target.
What data does a smart home collect?
- With most cloud-based systems: a lot. Usage patterns, voice recordings, behavioral data, sleep schedules, when you’re home, what you watch. This information builds profiles for advertising, product training, and sometimes gets shared with third parties. One Raven doesn’t collect any of it.
What happens if my smart home company goes out of business?
- With most smart homes: your devices stop working. With One Raven: they don’t. The system runs on your home server, not our cloud, so your home keeps functioning no matter what. We’re also exploring open-sourcing parts of our system to make this even more durable.
Why is my smart home so slow?
- Because every command is traveling to a data center and back. Cloud-based smart homes typically take around 750 milliseconds to respond. A local-first smart home like One Raven responds in under 100 milliseconds - fast enough that you stop noticing the technology.
Is a smart home worth it without a subscription?
- That depends on the smart home. Most subscription models exist because the company needs ongoing revenue to keep your devices working. One Raven was built so you actually own what you buy. No monthly fees. No locked features. Your hardware works without paying us forever.
What’s a Thread border router?
- A device that bridges your Thread network to your home internet. Every powered Thread device in your home can act as one. One Raven’s home server is the main coordinator, and your other powered devices (plugs, switches, thermostats) extend the network automatically.
Can I use my smart home if the internet is out?
- With a local-first smart home, yes. One Raven processes everything locally, so your routines, automations, and device controls keep working through internet outages. Only remote access (controlling your home from outside) needs the internet.
Is Matter the same as Wi-Fi?
- No. Matter is a communication standard - a language for smart devices to understand each other. It can run over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread. One Raven uses Matter over Thread because it’s faster, uses less power, and creates a mesh network that strengthens with every device.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
- Depends on the protocol. Wi-Fi smart locks typically last 3-6 months. Thread and Z-Wave smart locks last 12-18 months. Thread uses dramatically less power because devices don’t have to constantly check in with a router.
What makes a smart home private?
- Privacy depends on where your data goes. A cloud-based smart home sends nearly everything to corporate servers. A private smart home keeps your data local. One Raven processes everything in your home, encrypts every layer, and doesn’t collect usage data.
Do all Matter devices work together?
- In theory, yes - that’s the point. In practice, support varies by platform. Matter is still relatively new, and different brands implement different parts of the specification. One Raven supports Matter-certified devices at launch, with more compatibility coming over time.
What’s a mesh network in a smart home?
- A network where every device helps relay the signal. Instead of every device connecting back to a single hub, devices talk to each other. The network gets stronger as you add more devices. Thread is a mesh network. Wi-Fi (typically) is not.
