Google just made a huge smart home move — and it’s good news for Claude AI fans

Google has introduced Home MCP, a new protocol that allows third-party AI agents, such as Claude, to control Google Home devices. This opens up the possibility for AI agents to interact with smart home devices beyond just turning lights on and off. With Home MCP, an AI agent could analyze device states, historical event logs, and suggest ways to optimize device usage.

For instance, you could ask an AI if you left something on and it could take appropriate action. Additionally, Home MCP could monitor for unusual activity, summarize events, and provide insights into your home's functioning. This move could fundamentally shift the way we perceive smart homes, transforming them from a collection of gadgets to a holistic environment that an AI can comprehend.

While the feature is currently in Early Access for developers, Google has put significant emphasis on security and user control, ensuring that third-party agents can only perform predefined, safe actions and require explicit user authorization.