Abstract: Automatic transplanter can improve the efficiency of transplanting operations and reduce labor intensity. As a key link in the research and development of automatic transplanter, automatic picking technology plays an active role in promoting the development of Chinese automatic transplanter. By comparing the research and application status of automatic seedling picking technology at home and abroad, this article analyzes and classifies the main automatic seedling picking technology, and divides them into five types. The types of automatic seedling picking technology mainly include: moving tray fixed hand type, fixed tray moving hand type, moving tray moving hand type, moving tray top seedling type, moving tray blowing seedling type. On the basis of the above classification, this paper analyzes and summarizes the working principle of five kinds of automatic seedling picking technology, puts forward the main problems existing in the current automatic seedling picking technology, and gives suggestions for the future development of the technology. It is proposed that the automatic seedling picking technology will develop in a high-speed and precise direction, and the transplanter will be developed toward the goal of multi-function and integration. It provides a reference for further research of automatic transplanter.