Abstract: Magneto-optical trap （MOT）, as the main means of laser cooling and trapping of atoms, has been widely used in modern atomic physics. By means of a magnetic trap formed by a pair of anti-Helmholtz coils and a light trap formed by six orthogonal laser beams, the temperature of the atoms is cooled to near absolute zero Kelvin, which can inhibit the drawback of Doppler effect and collision effect of the atoms to a large extent. Compared with the traditional precision measuring instruments using hot atoms as the working medium, the performance of cold atomic clock, cold atom interferometer and cold atom accelerometer generated by MOT technology has been greatly improved. The basic principles and key technologies of MOT are described. The development status of MOT technology at home and abroad and the relevant research work carried out in recent years in the improvement of MOT performance are reviewed. The development trend of MOT technology is analyzed and summarized. The trend mainly includes miniaturization, high flux and loading rate, and intelligent parameter optimization.