<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0204</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000865415</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADEPT TECHNOLOGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ADEP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001296321</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOUTSIKARIS JOHN C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5960 INGLEWOOD DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLEASANTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94558</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP Sales &amp; Marketing</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Lisa M. Cummins  For: John C. Boutsikaris</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
