In this exclusive conversation with MartechAI.com’s Brij Pahwa, Silicon Valley legend Allen Nejah, Chief Innovation Officer at Polymatech and a veteran of over 1,700 tech projects, opens up about the next wave of artificial intelligence, the rise of robotics, and why he believes India is poised to lead the global technology race. Joined by Ryan, CEO of Nisene Technologies (a division of Polymatic), the duo discusses their ambitious plan to create “the Apple of India,” build intelligent home devices, and lead the robotics revolution from the ground up.

From connected cars to caregiving robots, Nejah shares insights drawn from decades at the forefront of innovation and offers a powerful message to the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Q&A: Allen Nejah on the Future of AI, Robotics, and Why He’s Betting Big on India

Q: You've spent decades at the heart of Silicon Valley’s tech evolution. How do you see the intelligence landscape today compared to when you started?
The tech landscape evolves through the convergence of matured technologies. Take IoT for example. Initially, we lacked the necessary components. But as sensors, communication protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G matured, IoT became possible. The same applies to AI today. It is not just one technology. It is built on years of progress in speech recognition, language models, cloud infrastructure, and massive data accumulation. What we are witnessing now is a new generation of interfaces that integrate these capabilities to unlock applications across industries.

Q: Of the 1,700 plus projects you've worked on, which one stands out most?
That would be connected car technology. From 2005 to 2008, my team and I worked on semi-autonomous vehicle features that are now standard. The first major step was bringing the internet into cars, which we did in 2005. By 2014, most car manufacturers had adopted it for safety, performance, and entertainment. That technology was developed by my company and licensed to more than 2,000 firms worldwide. Seeing that kind of impact has been incredibly fulfilling.

Q: You’ve now joined Polymatic. What drove that decision?
Polymatech’s vision aligns closely with mine. Their focus is on advancing technology to improve everyday life. I’ve worked with the founder, Ezbara, for several years. He is a brilliant mind with a deep commitment to innovation. Even with the challenges of COVID, he has made remarkable progress. Polymatic is not just looking to participate in the tech space. They want to become a leader, like Apple or Samsung, by creating a portfolio of high-quality, globally distributed products.

Q: What exactly is your focus at Polymatech right now?
We are building a strong R&D foundation. Our roadmap includes launching a new product every six months. The first is an intelligent lighting system designed to assist infants and the elderly. Think of it as owning the indoor space, similar to how Ring owns the doorbell space. These smart devices will be placed in bedrooms, kitchens, and other home spaces, offering proactive care, emotional support, and safety through automation and sensors.

Q: Generative AI has taken off in software. What do you see as its future in hardware?
AI is essentially the next user interface. Just as the mouse or keyboard were revolutionary in their time, AI now allows us to interact through natural language. In hardware, this means devices won’t just perform tasks, they’ll understand, learn, and respond. For example, in elder care, a smart device could detect if someone has not moved for a while, determine whether they need help, and even initiate alerts. That level of responsive intelligence will redefine how we interact with machines.

Q: That sounds powerful, but what about safety and privacy concerns?
We take that very seriously. All our systems are designed to be closed and secure. Devices will communicate only through our proprietary platform, which is fully controlled and monitored. Recordings are encrypted and accessible only in emergency situations. Privacy is not just a feature, it is part of the system architecture from the ground up.

Q: What’s Polymatech’s plan for India?
India is central to our future. We have already outlined a roadmap with three key products. The first focuses on intelligent lighting and caregiving support. Beyond product development, we view India as a hub for innovation and leadership. The talent, infrastructure, and ambition here are incredible. Our goal is to be recognized as one of India’s top technology companies.

Ryan (CEO, Nisene Technologies Group):
India is an emerging powerhouse. We have seen the brilliance of Indian talent in Silicon Valley for years. Now we are investing in India directly. It is not just about growth; it is about building something meaningful. People may know us today for lighting and opto semiconductors, but we are evolving into a full-stack tech company. Our ambition is to become one of the global tech leaders, with Indian leadership at the core.

Q: Are there any unique challenges in operating within the Indian business ecosystem?
Ryan: India is vast and incredibly diverse. Each state has its own regulations, infrastructure, and political dynamics. But we are fortunate to have strong Indian leadership guiding us. Every market has its challenges. What matters is how you adapt. India’s emergence is creating opportunities that far outweigh the hurdles.

Q: What upcoming technology excites you the most right now?
Robotics. We are seeing the beginnings of robotic assistance not just in factories, but in homes, hospitals, and offices. The U.S. is already embracing dark manufacturing, where factories operate entirely with robots. This is accelerating rapidly, especially in countries like China and parts of the Middle East. Within five to ten years, robots will be common in workplaces and eventually in homes. Polymatic intends to be a major player in that space.

Q: If you were to start your career again in 2025, what would you choose to do?
I would do the same thing. What I love most is working across industries. Each sector teaches something new, and those insights are often transferable. Something I learn in aerospace can be applied in medical tech, and vice versa. That cross-pollination creates better solutions. Understanding multiple domains like physics, math, electronics, and robotics gives us an edge in product development.

Q: What advice do you have for young people entering robotics today?
If you are interested in robotics, now is the perfect time to get in. The field is expanding rapidly and there is a huge demand for talent—whether it is in design, development, software, or systems. The next decade will be pivotal for robotics. Entering now means you will grow alongside the industry.

Editor’s Note:
Allen Nejah’s career is a testament to curiosity, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. From pioneering connected car technologies to now envisioning caregiving robots and intelligent home devices, his journey is far from over. With Polymatic, he is now placing a bold bet on India, not just as a market but as a birthplace for the next global tech giant.

Watch the full interview and more industry insights at MartechAI.com.