RVSI Exploring Sale of Its Semiconductor Equipment Group Business

Canton, Massachusetts -- September 17, 2002 -- Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (Nasdaq: ROBV) today said it is exploring the sale of its Semiconductor Equipment Group, and has started discussions with multiple interested parties.

The Semiconductor Equipment Group comprises businesses that perform 3-D inspection of assembled integrated circuits, and inspects defects and measures bumps on wafers that facilitate an advanced packaging technique that is expected to come into widespread use in the next few years. RVSI said the companies with which it is in discussion are established semiconductor capital equipment suppliers for which the Semiconductor Equipment Group would represent a logical extension of their own product lines and served markets.  RVSI said it had not yet entered into price negotiations with prospective buyers and would not speculate on an eventual sale price or timing of a transaction.

'Beyond simply getting the best price for the business on behalf of our shareholders, our priority is to ensure that the buyer is committed to the semiconductor capital equipment industry and has the financial strength to serve our extensive customer base while maintaining or expanding our strong product and technology leadership position,' said Pat V. Costa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RVSI.  'We are also sensitive to the requirements of shareholders, employees and vendors during this period.'

The company anticipates that proceeds in excess of the working capital requirements of RVSI's remaining businesses would be distributed to shareholders.

RVSI has retained Needham and Company as its investment banker for this process.

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. Serving the semiconductor, electronics, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, RVSI holds more than 100 patents in a broad range of technologies.

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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. First, there can be no assurance that the sale of SEG will be consummated and there is considerable uncertainty as to the pricing of any such transaction.  In addition, 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.

A conference call to provide additional information about this announcement was held this morning at 9:00 a.m. EDT. A replay of the call can be heard on RVSI's website or by calling 402-220-3590.

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