Abstract: A survey of the research status for search and rescue robots in Japan, USA, China, and other countries is provided. According to current research, the experience, and the lessons learned from application, there are four key performances for search and rescue robot, which are, survivability, mobility, sensing, communicability, and operability. It is proved that, research of search and rescue robot is converted to practice from experiment gradually, Multi-technique fusion and multi-agent intelligent network are considered to be the future development requirement of the search and rescue robot. Disaster prevention, disaster reduction, and disaster rescue are important parts of the national public safety. And they are also crucial issues in the safety of citizens and their estates. Search and rescue robotic technique is an urgently needed, strategic, and core technique for national development. It will have important and strategic effect on the national economy and the national safety.

Key words: Development tendency, Disaster, Key performance, Research status, Safety, Search and rescue robot