Determining resource requirements

An apparatus for determining future resource requirements in a given location, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, wherein the apparatus is configured to:

• obtain transaction data, the transaction data indicative of past resource use at a plurality of locations, which includes the given location:
• train at least one machine learning model based on a set of parameters by:
• determining a distribution of resources associated with the transaction data;
• generating a machine learning kernel based on the of set parameters, the machine learning kernel being arranged to output an estimated distribution of resources over the plurality of locations;
• and
• refining and validating the machine learning kernel based on a comparison between the distribution and the estimated distribution of the resources;
• generate a density map of the resources for the plurality of locations based on the at least one trained machine learning model;
• and
• send the density map to a control system to determine future resource requirements in the given location.

A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, storing instructions

• that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
• obtain transaction data, the transaction data indicative of past resource use at a a plurality of locations, which includes a given location;
• train at least one machine learning model based on a set of parameters by:
• determining a distribution of resources associated with the transaction data;
• generating a machine learning kernel based on the of set parameters, the machine learning kernel being arranged to output an estimated distribution of resources over the plurality of locations;
• and
• refining and validating the machine learning kernel based on a comparison between the distribution and the estimated distribution of the resources;
• generate a density map of the resources for the plurality of locations based on the at least one trained machine learning model;
• and
• send the density map to a control system to determine future resource requirements at a given location.