Abstract: Application of image processing technology has been developing from industries areas to agriculture areas.Based on unstructured planting way of cotton in our country and cotton characteristic，basic process of image processing and using was summarized.From angle of image processing，importance of target identification and positioning，and navigation path identification in the cotton-picking robot was selectively analyzed.Difficult point and key technology of image processing in cotton picker robot development process were summarized.With rapid development of high and new technology，image process technology is increasing mature，dream of cotton picker robot to replace human labor would be come true.