Underground space and resources are crucial for solving energy, resource, and living space problems faced by mankind. Shafts are throats that extend from the ground into the strata and thus require safe, efficient, green, and intelligent construction. In this paper, we analyze the need and necessity for developing large-diameter drilling technology and equipment, examine the development status in China and abroad, and analyze the challenges faced by China from the perspectives of basic research, applied technology development, high-end equipment manufacturing, and project demonstration. Moreover, we pinpoint the development directions of shaft construction technology and equipment and propose that China should establish the development concept of intelligent drilling, clarify the development path and tasks of intelligent drilling, establish relevant standards and specifications of large-diameter drilling, and promote the construction of intelligent drilling platforms and demonstration projects, thereby providing support for shaft construction in fields such as mining, hydropower, transportation, and urban construction.