:The intelligentization of mechanical face seals plays an infrastructural role in the intelligentization of equipment, and also the strategical solution for the existing requirements and future innovations is developed. Based on the specific physical mechanisms and technical features of mechanical face seals, the concept of mechanical face seal intelligentization is elaborated. By the three capability aspects of perceiving, analyzing and acting, the existing techniques of the mechanical face seals and their dilemmas are reviewed. An incremental design method may have good early agility for the development of intelligent mechanical face seals; however, a systematical design method which goes beyond the traditional design patterns developed without consideration for intelligentization shall perform better in the long term. It can be expect that the intelligent mechanical face seals with deep interactivity and high autonomy will greatly boost the advancement of sealing technology and equipment intelligentization.