RVSI Receives Data Matrix Reader Orders from Leading Aerospace Supplier

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE - May 10, 2004 - Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI)
(RVSI.OB) today said its Acuity CiMatrix Division has received orders for Data Matrix reading equipment from a leading supplier to the aerospace industry.  RVSI's products will be used to identify and track components during manufacturing.  These newest orders for machine vision equipment are valued at $180,000, and add to an installed base of Acuity CiMatrix equipment approaching $2 million.

 'This customer has made a major commitment to unit level traceability,' said Ray England, Vice President - Worldwide Sales and Marketing for RVSI Acuity CiMatrix. 'Data Matrix is the organization's chosen tool to enhance efficiency and quality assurance by marking individual components with a unique identifier, and RVSI is the organization that facilitates the program's success.' 

The addition of the Data Matrix, which is dot-peened or laser-etched onto the surface of the part at the outset of the part fabrication process, allows the organization to record the manufacturing history of each critical component.  The mark is read using Acuity CiMatrix machine vision equipment at multiple points during parts fabrication. 

'The Data Matrix mark makes it possible to know when and where the part was built; even which equipment was involved in the manufacturing process,' Mr. England said.  'This gives the customer complete visibility of the fabrication process, which is a key to quality assurance.'

Data Matrix marks may be scaled to virtually any size and may be made on curved or irregular surfaces.  The mark may have to be read even if it is partially damaged.

'The customer's choice of Visionscape® machine vision equipment ensures that the Data Matrix mark gets read accurately, every time,' Mr. England said. 'Our proprietary algorithms, lighting, and hardware all combine to provide this organization with the comfort that its Data Matrix marks will be readable regardless of the surface preparation, size, or mark type.'

RVSI's Visionscape family of vision boards and standalone vision systems are a scalable line of machine vision products offering proven vision processing and automatic identification tools supported by a common application development and deployment environment. Visionscape offers users the flexibility of migrating up or down the product line, according to their needs, without abandoning their investment in application development and
training.

About RVSI
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (RVSI.OB) has the most comprehensive line of machine vision systems available today. Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, with offices worldwide, RVSI is the world leader in vision-based semiconductor inspection and Data Matrix-based unit-level traceability. 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.

Forward Looking Statement
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 annual report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Contact:
RVSI
5 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA  02021
Tel: 781-302-2401  Fax:781-302-2440