  We propose the creation of artificial nematic-orbit coupling in spin-1
Bose-Einstein condensates, in analogy to spin-orbit coupling. Using a suitably
designed microwave chip, the quadratic Zeeman shift, normally uniform in space,
can be made to be spatio-temporally varying, leading to a coupling between
spatial and nematic degrees of freedom. A phase diagram is explored where three
quantum phases with the nematic order emerge: easy-axis, easy-plane with
single-well and easy-plane with double well structure in momentum space. By
including spin-dependent and spin-independent interactions, we also obtain the
low energy excitation spectra in these three phases. Lastly, we show that the
nematic-orbit coupling leads to a periodic nematic density modulation in
relation to the period $\lambda_T$ of the cosinusoidal quadratic Zeeman term.
Our results point to the rich possibilities for manipulation of tensorial
degrees of freedom in ultracold gases without requiring Raman lasers, and
therefore, obviating light-scattering induced heating.
