Google Home Opens Its Ecosystem to AI Agents via MCP
Smart home owners will soon be able to control their Google Homeβconnected devices through an AI agent. On Tuesday, Google rolled out early access to its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the Google Home ecosystem. This will allow any AI agent that supports MCP β such as Claude, Hermes, OpenClaw, ChatGPT, and Google Antigravity β to securely interact with smart home devices and access their event history.
This update enables users to issue natural language instructions for tasks like reviewing camera summaries, monitoring smart home activity, controlling connected devices, and building custom smart home dashboards.
How to Set It Up
To establish the connection, users must create a Google Cloud project and configure it to use Home MCP. They then provide the MCP configuration details to their chosen AI agent and ask it to complete the setup. The agent will prompt them to sign in and grant permissions. A setup guide is also available in the Google Home Developer Center.
The system supports any device in the Google Home ecosystem, including Google Nest doorbells and thermostats, as well as "Works with Google Home" (or Matter) devices like light bulbs.
Google's Broader MCP Strategy
Google already supports MCP in other areas of its business, including Google Cloud and data platforms, developer tools, and Google Workspace. Support for Google Home is aimed more directly at consumers experimenting with AI agents designed to handle everyday tasks.
Rollout and Availability
According to Google, access to the MCP will begin rolling out today and continue over the coming weeks to subscribers of Google Home Premium Advanced in the U.S. This is the more expensive, $20-per-month subscription tier that offers features such as extended event-based video history, descriptive notifications and detailed alerts, tools to search video history, daily summaries, and more.
Google declined to comment on if or when the MCP would roll out more broadly, such as to other subscription tiers or markets.
Feedback and Community
Google is also soliciting feedback from early adopters during this period through its Smart Home for Developers Community.
via TechCrunch AI