RVSI Gets Order for Seven Semiconductor Inspection Systems

CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS - December 5, 2000 -Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (NASDAQ: ROBV)  today said its Semiconductor Equipment Group has received an order for seven inspection systems from a Taiwan-based contract assembler.  Delivery is expected to occur prior to December 31, 2000.  The sale was made by RVSI's Electronics Division in Hauppauge, N.Y.

Machine-vision based semiconductor inspection systems are used by chip manufacturers to examine packaged integrated circuits. RVSI's systems check to ensure that leads on finished integrated circuits meet specification, and perform package visual inspection to find surface defects on parts. RVSI's patented, laser-based 3-D technology provides the highest quality of machine vision available for connector, lead, and ball-grid-array inspection.

"This order is part of a capacity expansion program by a long-time RVSI customer," said Michael Gray, Vice President - Sales and Marketing of RVSI Electronics. "For the past several months, our contract assembler customers have been hesitant about placing multi-unit orders because of uncertain business conditions in the semiconductor industry.  This particular customer has elected to build capacity as a tool both for serving current customers and for gaining market share as the industry conditions become clearer."

About RVSI
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) 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, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, RVSI holds approximately 100 patents in a broad range of technologies.

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Additional information for shareholders
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 and 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.

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