Major Semiconductor Manufacturer Deploys Adept Robots

PLEASANTON, CA -- (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adept Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADEP), a leading provider of intelligent robots and autonomous mobile solutions and services, announced that it has deployed an initial batch of mobile robots to a major semiconductor manufacturer for the automated transport of semiconductor pods.

"Adept is very pleased to have begun introducing mobile technology to the semiconductor and cleantech space through this initial production deployment with such a large and respected client," says Rush LaSelle, vice president and general manager of mobile robots. "Our mobile products are delivering strong returns on invested capital throughout a diverse set of industries by increasing production flexibility, providing more deterministic delivery times when compared to manual processes, and enabling the redeployment of labor to high value tasks."

The use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) has been explored by clean technology manufacturers such as semiconductor fabs for decades, but with minimal utilization. However, the navigational element of traditional AGVs disallowed for navigational flexibility and ease of installation. Adept's indoor navigation technology and small platforms function well within crowded environments and allow for non-disruptive installation in sensitive facilities. Adept's newly released SPC-4200 and SPH-2200 transporters are used to carry pods from one machine tool to another (intra-bay loading) and between various process areas within the fab (inter-bay transfer). The pods are enclosed in plastic boxes that encase a set of semiconductor wafers.

More information on Adept Technology's solutions for the automated transport of semiconductor pods can be found on the Adept Web site.

About Adept Technology
Adept Technology Inc. is a global, leading provider of intelligent robots and autonomous mobile solutions and services that enable customers to achieve precision, speed, quality and productivity in their assembly, handling, packaging, testing, and logistical processes. With a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance motion controllers, application development software, vision-guidance technology and high-reliability robot mechanisms with autonomous capabilities, Adept provides specialized, cost-effective robotics systems and services to high-growth markets including packaging, medical, disk drive/electronics, and solar; as well as to traditional industrial markets including machine tool automation and automotive components.