Adept Technology Announces Protedyne Standardizes On Adept Controls; Adept Controllers and Vision Systems Implemented for Use in Drug-Discovery Market.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2001

Adept Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADTK), a leading manufacturer of flexible automation for the fiber optic, telecommunications and semiconductor industries, today announced that Protedyne of Ashland, Massachusetts, a leading solutions provider for genome-based drug discovery systems, has standardized on Adept controls, including Adept controllers, AdeptVision(TM) and AIM(TM) software systems for their BioCube(TM) Systems and their CILA(TM) architecture.

"We're excited to have Protedyne standardize on Adept controls and vision systems," noted Joe Campbell, vice president of marketing for Adept Technology. "As this market expands, biotech customers will benefit from the combined expertise of Adept flexible automation and Protedyne's knowledge of the market by providing an extremely specialized, focused solution for the drug discovery's unique challenges."

"The power of Adept controls will enable our lab-automation customers to break new ground in drug-discovery," said Peter Massaro, the chief technology officer of Protedyne. "Our customers' requirements are extremely stringent, and key to their success is how quickly and cost effectively we can automate their processes. With Adept controls and software, we have been able to develop systems that provide extremely high-throughput automation solutions, that can be rapidly integrated into their R&D infrastructure.

Protedyne, a lab-automation manufacturer, has standardized on Adept controls including the Adept MV(TM) controller for motion control, AdeptVision AVI(TM) software for full vision guidance and Adept AIM software. AIM software is used as the basis for Protedyne's CILA architecture, which integrates automation and lab processes in a single software environment.

Protedyne combines scientific expertise, innovative automation systems, and integrated project management to create the shortest time to discovery for genomic-based drug research. These solutions incorporate the highly flexible BioCube(TM) System. This ultra-high throughput laboratory automation platform improves the effectiveness of genetic research and dramatically accelerates the discovery of new drugs. The system utilizes Protedyne's CILA(TM) (Computer Integrated Laboratory Automation) architecture that rapidly and seamlessly integrates hardware, software and scientific protocols into the customer's R&D infrastructure. In addition, Protedyne's BioResearch(SM) Team, a group of highly qualified and experienced scientists, offers contract and research services to enhance the R&D programs of its collaborators and partners. The company is based in Windsor, Connecticut, and has offices in Ashland, Massachusetts. It sells and services its solutions around the world. For more information, www.protedyne.com.

Adept Technology designs, manufactures and markets factory automation components and systems for the fiber optic, telecommunications, semiconductor, automotive, food and durable goods industries throughout the world. Adept's robots, controllers, and software products are used for small parts assembly, material handling and ultra precision process applications. Our intelligent automation product lines include industrial robots, configurable linear modules, flexible feeders, semiconductor process components, nanopositioners, machine controllers for robot mechanisms and other flexible automation equipment, machine vision, systems and software, application software, and simulation software. Founded in 1983, Adept is America's largest manufacturer of industrial robots. More information is available at www.adept.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the above forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: rapid technological change within the company's industry and the potential that our new or existing products may contain defects, errors or performance problems.

For a discussion of additional risk factors relating to Adept's business, see Adept's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, as well as Adept's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2001, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained therein.

The Adept logo is a registered trademark of Adept Technology, Inc. Adept, AdeptVision, AIM, Adept MV and AdeptVision AVI are trademarks of Adept Technology. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.