eQ-3, the German company behind Homematic IP, will add two plugins to its Home Control Unit hub with an update scheduled for 27 October 2026. One speaks Modbus, the other MQTT. Both let devices from other manufacturers appear in Homematic IP next to the system's own sensors and actuators, and both are switched on and configured in the hub's web interface. eQ-3 announced the update on 20 October.
Modbus for energy equipment
Modbus is common in energy technology, and that is where eQ-3 aims the first plugin. The company lists inverters, battery storage systems, energy meters, wallboxes and heat pumps as examples. Their measurements and device states become available in Homematic IP for visualisations, automations and energy management. eQ-3's own example: when there is enough self-generated solar power, the heat pump starts or the wallbox is enabled.
MQTT for everything else
The MQTT plugin covers a wider range. eQ-3 mentions lighting, shading, heating and cooling, security and energy devices. Its example is an MQTT-capable air conditioner that can then be controlled from the Homematic IP app and used in automations.
The press release does not say whether the Home Control Unit runs its own broker or connects to an existing one. eQ-3 has published separate guides for both plugins (the MQTT guide is dated 09/2026, the Modbus guide 10/2026), and those are the place to check before planning a setup.
Part of a gradual opening
This is not the first outside protocol on the Home Control Unit. It can already pair devices that support EEBUS, a standard for energy management between appliances. eQ-3 frames Modbus and MQTT as a deliberate step to open Homematic IP to more technologies while keeping the core system as it is, and it addresses both home users and professional installers.
For people running Home Assistant next to Homematic IP, the MQTT plugin is the more interesting half, since many self-built ESPHome and Tasmota devices already publish over MQTT. How well that works in practice depends on how the plugin maps topics to devices, which the guides should show once the update is out.