Abstract: Ultra wideband (UWB) radar life detection technology has the advantages of low power consumption, good penetration, and high confidentiality. It is beneficial for improving the survival rate of trapped personnel after disasters. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress and current status of UWB radar life detection technology both domestically and internationally. According to the different forms of transmitted signals, UWB radar life detection technology is divided into continuous wave radar life detection technology and pulse wave radar life detection technology. The principles and application advantages of the two detection technologies are introduced respectively. Based on the respective features of continuous wave radar life detection technology and pulse wave radar life detection technology, this paper analyzes the key technologies of UWB radar life detection from three perspectives: detection signal transmission, echo signal preprocessing, and life signal extraction and analysis, and summarizes the research status of the three key technologies. The paper proposes prospects for the research on UWB radar life detection technology. The technology breaks through the hardware performance of life detector transceivers, improves the transmission signal bandwidth, and optimizes RF power amplification technology to increase the detection distance through walls. The technology comprehensively utilizes multiple feature extraction methods and intelligent pattern classification methods, as well as new generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, to improve the precision of target recognition. The technology develops a human target recognition and positioning equipment based on multi input multi output radar and a high-precision distributed networked fully polarized UWB radar life detector to enhance the dimension of detection results.