At the intersection of foot traffic and the future of data, Dor's DTM sensor, powered by Constellation Network, is helping shape how students and communities think about blockchain. Expanding beyond its utility in cryptocurrency, blockchain is a powerful tool for transparency, social good, and innovation.
In a unique partnership sparked by Dr. Helen Turner and brought to life by Mariane Uehara — who designed and led the 10-week course — Chaminade University of Honolulu teamed up with Constellation Network to launch a “Datapreneurship”. The internship program introduced students to blockchain through a real-world lens, giving them DTM sensors to deploy in their communities and analyze the data through a blockchain-based framework.
“The DTM sensors offered a tangible, real-world way for students to see blockchain in action not just as theory, but as a tool for community insight and impact.” — Mariane Uehara, Sustainability Innovation Coordinator
From Foot Traffic to the Blockchain: Bridging Physical and Digital Insight
Throughout the internship, students placed sensors in a variety of community-based locations: a church, a local brewery, a small business in a mall, the university gym, and even a community garden. Each setting prompted questions about how foot traffic data could enhance operations and support business decisions from inventory planning to targeted marketing strategies.
While some sensor deployments ran into common challenges, like Wi-Fi issues or hesitancy from partners about data ownership, the learning curve was steep but impactful.
“One of the most meaningful parts of this exercise was how students connected the data to places they cared about. This grounded their learning and helped them think more critically and creatively about the ethical and practical use of data.” — Mariane Uehara
The DTM sensor, which functions both as a retail foot traffic counter and a crypto miner, became more than hardware; it became a conversation starter. It opened up new ways of thinking about how physical, real-world events can be tied to digital records and transactions in the blockchain space.
Learning by Doing: Students as Community Innovators
What made this program especially successful was its student-centered, entrepreneurial design. Students were encouraged not just to collect data, but to envision its purpose.
“We designed the course to develop entrepreneurial thinking and resourcefulness. Because they got to explore use cases in places they were personally connected to, their engagement and motivation grew. The hands-on nature of using the DTM sensors helped students stay invested and understand blockchain on a deeper, more human level.”
And the results speak for themselves. Students walked away with more than technical know-how; they left with the desire to keep building. Several students expressed plans to continue their research or launch future projects inspired by their internship work.
“It helped demystify the technology. For beginners, blockchain can feel abstract and overwhelming. The DTM data gave them a concrete way to “see” how blockchain functions. It sparked new ideas about how this technology could serve communities and drive change.”
Looking Ahead: Tech with Purpose
The internship echoed a sentiment that Mariane also shared in her recent LinkedIn reflection: with conversations around Web3 being inclusive, transparent, and ethically grounded.
“These partnerships create real opportunities to invite students and communities into the future of tech in ways that feel tangible, ethical, and relevant.”
At Dor, we believe this is just the beginning. When retail and crypto intersect through purpose-driven projects like this, the possibilities multiply. Not only for better data but for better decisions, communities, and futures.
Rethink What Your Foot Traffic Can Do
At Dor, we’ve always believed that every footstep has value — and now, you can decide how far that value goes.
Whether you're using our classic retail foot traffic sensor to understand store performance or exploring our DTM sensor to add a blockchain layer to your data, you’re joining a future-focused community of businesses, educators, and innovators.
From foot traffic counts to smart contracts, Dor gives you the tools to turn traffic into insight.
👉 Let’s explore the right fit for your space — and the future you want to build with it.
This project was supported by the `Inana Innovators grant award to Chaminade University (Principal Investigator Dr. Helen Turner) from the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce (MBDA award #MBD22OBD8020275). www.inanainnovators.org