Autonomous ground surface treatment system and method of operation of such a system

A method of operating an autonomous turf maintenance vehicle, the method comprising:

• establishing a work region in which the vehicle will operate, the work region comprising a turf surface;
• transporting the vehicle to the work region, the vehicle comprising:
• a chassis supported upon the turf surface by ground support members, wherein one or more of the ground support members comprises a drive member adapted to propel and steer the vehicle over the turf surface;
• one or more motors adapted to power the drive member;
• a container supported by the chassis, the container comprising a discharge outlet operable to transfer treating material held within the container to a target area of the turf surface;
• a sensor adapted to identify the target area, wherein the target area comprises natural turf;
• and
• an electronic controller supported by the chassis, the controller in communication with the sensor and the one or more motors;
• autonomously propelling the vehicle across the work region;
• and
• autonomously identifying, with the sensor, the target area.