Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.'s DT-8000 Wins Advanced Packaging Magazine's Award

CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- July 20, 2001 -- Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI)(NASDAQ: ROBV) today said its new DT-8000 semiconductor packaging system received Advanced Packaging magazine's award for innovation in the Packaging & Shipping/Distribution category.   The award was made Wednesday evening at Semicon West, the semiconductor capital equipment industry's premier trade show.

'This is independent validation of what we at RVSI have believed since the product's introduction: that the DT-8000 will take the tape-and-reel industry to a new plateau of speed and reliability,' said Earl Rideout, President of RVSI's Semiconductor Equipment Group. RVSI has now shipped over twenty of these new systems worldwide.'

The RVSI DT-8000 tape-and-reel system has been specifically developed to provide the safest possible high-speed inspection and packaging of small integrated circuits into tubes or carrier tape, the media most frequently specified by assembly houses that insert high volumes of semiconductors onto circuit boards.

Unlike pick-and-place systems, whose complex, torsional movements can result in damaged or misaligned parts, RVSI's new Drop-Point™ mechanism features a simple gravity arm that moves devices in one direction only, providing accurate, safe positioning into the carrier tape and eliminating the risk of damage to fragile leaded components.

Furthermore, the DT8000 has been designed so that no two devices ever come into contact with each other after entering the system.  This helps ensure that there is far less chance for misalignment or jams, resulting in a significantly higher throughput. The DT-8000 can process up to 10,000 semiconductors per hour.

The system's highly accurate and repeatable AVS-4000 vision module utilizes digital CCD cameras, precision telecentric lenses and a combination of light sources to provide a distortion-free image, enabling precise, 100% vision inspection at maximum production speeds. The vision system inspects for marking and orientation, as well as providing complete camera-based, high-resolution measurement of lead and average plane coplanarity, terminal dimension, true position span and spread error, pitch, width and standoff.

About RVSI
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI)(NASDAQ: ROBV) has the most comprehensive line of machine vision systems available today. Headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, with offices worldwide, RVSI is the world leader in vision-based semiconductor inspection and media transfer equipment. Using leading-edge technology, RVSI joins vision-enabled process equipment, high-performance optics, lighting, and advanced hardware and software to assure product quality, identify and track parts, control manufacturing processes, and ultimately enhance profits for companies worldwide. Currently serving the semiconductor, electronics, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, RVSI holds approximately 100 patents in a broad range of technologies.

Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information herein, certain matters discussed in this release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the historical cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, risks in products and technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing economic conditions, both here and abroad, timely development and release of new products, strategic suppliers and customers, the effect of the company's accounting policies and other risk factors detailed in the Company's most recent registration statement, annual report on Form 10-K and 10K/A, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RVSI
5 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA  02021
Tel: 781-302-2439  Fax: 781-302-2440

For further information contact:
Neal H. Sanders
(781) 302-2439