QU Celebrates First Student, Faculty US Patent

Quinnipiac University in Hamden has earned its first U.S. patent for a faculty- and student-developed technology.

Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Nov. 18, the new innovation is a software-only, hands-free mobility and communication tool called AccessiMove.

The device is powered entirely by facial gestures and artificial intelligence.

According to its creators, the new innovation is designed to restore independence for people with motor impairments by allowing them to complete basic tasks, such as operating a wheelchair and using a computer.

Student-Driven Innovation

AccessiMove was developed by Dr. Chetan Jaiswal, associate professor of computer science, and his student design team.

“I believe students should be at the forefront of research,” Jaiswal said in a university publication.

“Projects can start with faculty guidance, but students should lead the way.”

Jaiswal’s and his student team worked in collaboration with Karen Majeski, associate professor of occupational therapy, and Brian O’Neill, associate dean of the Quinnipiac University School of Computing & Engineering and associate professor of computer science.

AccessiMove™, a hands-free mobility tool powered by facial gestures and artificial intelligence, and developed with affordability, dignity and real-world usability in mind by Quinnipiac faculty and their students, has earned the university's first patent. https://t.co/RcW5AQMhcD pic.twitter.com/EV1Mlf12ow

— Quinnipiac University (@QuinnipiacU) November 19, 2025

The technology culminated in the team’s design of a child-sized wheelchair prototype that requires a standard webcam and “nose-bridge tracking” software to translate head and facial movements, like a head tilt or wink, into precise digital and cursor commands.

As a result, AccessiMove users can operate a wheelchair, control a computer cursor or navigate digital environments hands-free.

In clinical and patient-care settings, the technology can enable those with limited hand mobility to communicate more easily with caregivers, navigate telehealth platforms and participate in rehabilitation.

Integrated into motorized wheelchairs, the technology offers people who can only move their head a higher-precision, more comfortable and safer mobility option than many current solutions, the university said.

Improving Lives

Beyond healthcare, the device opens possibilities across industries, including gaming, robotics, and rehabilitation technology.

The creation of AccessiMove also represents a significant step forward for AI innovation and education at the university.

“AccessiMove reflects Quinnipiac’s commitment to developing technology that improves lives,” Jaiswal said.

“This patent is a testament to interdisciplinary collaboration and the power of student innovation.”