Abstract: The research progresses of modeling, control and application of electro-active polymer (EAP) materials are systematically reviewed. Firstly, the classification and electrical actuation principle of the existing EAP materials are summarized. Then, the establishment of constitutive, hysteresis and creep models of EAP driving materials and the design of controller are discussed, and the applications of EAP intelligent structures in bionic robot, aerospace and energy fields are summarized. Finally, the research problems of EAP in material performance, intelligent structure design, system modeling and motion control strategy are pointed out, and the future research directions are also forecasted.