Abstract: Short-wave infrared technology (SWIR) can obtain the information transmitted through the atmospheric window of 0.9-2.5 μm at room temperature, effectively making up for the deficiencies of visible light and thermal imaging, resulting in a wide range of application scenarios such as space remote sensing, military and security, agriculture, and mining, medical and biological. This paper provides a brief introduction to short-wave infrared technology, analyzes its characteristics and advantages, and elaborates on its current development status through a hierarchical approach. This discussion primarily covers research on popular infrared detection materials and their manufacturing processes, design methods for improving photoelectric detection capabilities via innovative optical devices, and key considerations in infrared imaging system design. It systematically summarizes advancements in ten critical application fields: aerospace, military, security, agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, healthcare, machine vision, industrial inspection, and archaeology. The analysis reveals a growing trend in short-wave infrared technology, transitioning from advanced applications, such as aerospace and military, to civilian markets. This evolution highlights emerging materials, such as colloidal quantum dots, as promising candidates for achieving high performance, low cost, and excellent silicon-based compatibility. These innovations will serve as crucial drivers for reducing costs and expanding civilian applications of short-wave infrared technology, providing valuable references for its industrialization and future development directions.