Realtime Robotics names Kevin Carlin Chief Executive Officer

Realtime Robotics has appointed Kevin Carlin as Chief Executive Officer, while Peter Howard has become Chairman.

Carlin takes over immediately after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer at the robotics software company. He succeeds Howard, a co-founder, who will remain involved as non-executive Chairman of the Board.

The change comes as Realtime Robotics looks to build on demand for its Resolver software among automotive manufacturers, which are using more automation tools to manage production complexity and shorten development timelines.

Carlin joined Realtime Robotics in 2022 as Chief Commercial Officer and was promoted in 2025 to President and Chief Commercial Officer. Before that, he spent more than 13 years at Analogue Devices, where he worked on AI- and machine learning-based sensing and analytics and held senior roles in industrial automation.

Howard founded the company and led development of its core product, used in factory planning and robot system design. Resolver allows engineers to evaluate and simulate manufacturing decisions earlier in the product and process development cycle.

Leadership change

The appointment follows increased adoption of the company's software by global automakers and growth in headcount. Realtime Robotics is positioning itself to expand as manufacturers seek to automate more of the design and deployment of robotic systems.

Howard described the reasoning behind the handover in a statement.

"Realtime Robotics has reached the moment every deep-tech company works toward: proof that the world's most demanding manufacturers need-and want-what we've built. Kevin has been instrumental in building the customer relationships and commercial engine behind that success. He has the experience and the instincts to drive the company from this inflection point into rapid growth, and I'm confident he's the right leader to take us there," said Howard, Chairman of Realtime Robotics.

Carlin said the change reflects the next stage in the company's development and pointed to expansion opportunities beyond the automotive sector.

"Peter has spent years building this company into what it is today, and the trust he's placed in me to lead its next chapter means everything. Now our job is to scale that impact by deepening our relationships with automotive OEMs and their production ecosystems, and delivering the results customers and stakeholders expect from a company entering its growth phase. I'm energized by what's ahead and grateful that Peter will continue to help guide us as Chairman. Automotive is just the beginning. The same challenges we're solving for OEMs exist across other high-complexity manufacturing sectors, and we intend to be the platform those industries turn to as well," said Carlin.

Automotive focus

Realtime Robotics develops software designed to help manufacturers plan production lines and robot layouts before equipment is installed. It says this can reduce engineering bottlenecks and help manufacturers respond more quickly when production requirements change.

Its recent traction has been strongest in automotive manufacturing, where factory design, model changes and robot programming can involve large numbers of interdependent decisions. By moving more of that work into software earlier in the process, the company aims to reduce delays and rework on the factory floor.

The appointment also reflects a broader trend in industrial technology, as software companies focused on artificial intelligence and automation seek to turn pilot projects and early deployments into larger commercial contracts. For Realtime Robotics, that means expanding from product adoption by large manufacturers to a broader operating footprint under a new Chief Executive Officer.

Carlin's background in semiconductors, industrial automation and commercial operations is likely to be central to that effort as the company works to deepen existing customer relationships and win business in adjacent manufacturing sectors.

Howard will continue to oversee the board while Carlin takes charge of day-to-day management.