FREMONT, Calif. - April 26, 2002- Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that optimize semiconductor manufacturing productivity, announced that its management team will present at the Merrill Lynch Hardware Heaven Technology Conference in San Francisco, CA on May 2, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Merrill Lynch will be providing a live webcast of Asyst's presentation over the internet. To access the webcast please go to: http://www.on24.com/clients/merrill/conference_020429/submit.asp?presenter=asysttechno For more information regarding the Merrill Lynch conference, please contact your representative at Merrill Lynch directly.

About Asyst: Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor manufacturers to increase overall equipment effectiveness, improve yields and increase fab throughput. The company offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe and rapid transfer of wafers and information between process equipment and the fab line throughout the IC fabrication process, while reducing IC damage caused by human, environmental, mechanical and chemical factors. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com

Safe Harbor: Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, semiconductor industry cycles, risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities and other factors more fully detailed in the Company's recent 10Q quarterly report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:
Investor Contact

John Swenson
Asyst Technologies, Inc.
(510) 661-5000
jswenson@asyst.com