UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): NOVEMBER 5, 2004



                          ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


        DELAWARE                       0-8623                    11-2400145
(State of incorporation)        (Commission File No.)           (IRS Employer
                                                             Identification No.)

                               486 AMHERST STREET
                           NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03063
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                  Registrant's telephone number: (603) 598-8400


     Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the
following provisions:

     [ ] Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)

     [ ] Soliciting  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)

     [ ]  Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)  under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     [ ]  Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)  under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS;  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
           APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

     On November 5, 2004,  Jeffrey  Lucas  resigned  as the  Registrant's  Chief
Financial  Officer.  A copy of the press  release  issued by the  Registrant  on
November 12, 2004,  announcing the resignation of Mr. Lucas, is filed as Exhibit
99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a)  Financial Statements - None

(b)  Pro Forma Financial Information - None

(c)  Exhibits:


    EXHIBIT NO.           DESCRIPTION

        99.1              Press Release dated November 12, 2004



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 12, 2004


                                           ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEMS, INC.



                                           By:    /s/ Pat V. Costa
                                                ----------------------------
                                                Pat V. Costa
                                                Chairman, President and
                                                Chief Executive Officer