Abstract: The operational environments and functional requirements of large Spraying Robot for Ship Shell Plate in Dock (SRSSPD) are analyzed, and the working principle and technical indexes are discussed. Then the technical features and existing problems of abroad SRSSPDs based on wall-climbing, frame and elevated boarding, and related large pretreatment buffing and rust removal robots are summarized, and the current research of typical abroad SRSSPDs is analyzed and compared. From the view of shipyard users, the research progress of domestic SRSSPDs is summarized. The basic requirements, research difficulties, possible difficulties and key technologies are mainly analyzed. Finally, the future research directions of SRSSPD are explored.