Points of collaboration
ECHONET Consortium and W3C WoT (World Wide Web Consortium Web of Things) are collaborating and working together to expand their areas of application and create new value.
Since the ECHONET Lite Web API formulated by ECHONET Consortium refers to the WoT specifications, there is an affinity for the specification description format. For example, Device Description of ECHONET Lite Web API is based on Thing Description of WoT.
As the results of our collaborative activities so far, the addition of ECHONET Consortium and WoT collaboration proposal to the collection of use cases listed by WoT, and the confirmation of ECHONET Lite Web API and WoT collaboration at the plugfest sponsored by W3C can be mentioned.
At this plugfest, the Thing (device) of WoT that includes ECHONET Lite Web API compliant server functions is implemented, and connections and operations from a general Consumer (application) of WoT to the Thing are confirmed.
Collaboration use case
As a typical and concrete use case for linkage between ECHONET Lite and WoT, we are proposing a smart home-related operation model that simultaneously controls multiple devices in the home immediately after going out or just before returning home. In addition to this use case, we believe that the linkage between ECHONET Lite and WoT can be applied in a wide range of use cases.
For details, please check Web of Things (WoT): Use Cases and Requirements.
Participation in plug fest sponsored by W3C
At the plug fest in TPAC 2025 sponsored by W3C held from November 9th to 12th, 2025, we confirmed the linkage between ECHONET Lite Web API and WoT. ECHONET Consortium has been participating in the plug fests since 2021.
It was confirmed that WoT Consumers (applications) prepared by three W3C member companies could control physical devices via WoT Thing equipped with ECHONET Lite Web API compatible server function and an automatic conversion function to the ECHONET Lite Web API prepared by ECHONET Consortium.
Specifically, it was confirmed that WoT Consumers could operate (control and obtain the status of) three miniature ECHONET Lite devices provided by Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT) at the TPAC venue and ten devices installed at the remote testbed in Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). The demonstration attracted a large audience at the venue. The diagram below shows the configuration of the server and WoT Thing and the relationship with the connected devices.
Plugfest results are published on the GitHub maintained by W3C.
https://github.com/w3c/wot-testing/tree/main/events/2025.11.Kobe
https://github.com/w3c/wot-testing/tree/main/events/2025.11.Kobe/TD/ECHONET
https://github.com/w3c/wot-testing/tree/main/events/2025.11.Kobe#plugfest-diagram
The study and development of the configuration of WoT Thing for this plug fest, the construction of the entire system, and the response to testing were carried out as part of joint research between JAIST and ECHONET Consortium.
Future plans
Currently, both ECHONET Consortium and WoT are continuing to formulate and revise specifications and will continue to conduct mutual reviews and collaborative work related to formulating specifications as necessary. At the same time, we will promote the development of an environment that will lead to the creation of new value and services through collaboration between ECHONET Consortium and WoT.
