I was using EmguCV which is the VB version of OpenCV. I was using this in HalVision which included working with haarcascade. But you probably already knew this. I also have Kinect and I was thinking about using it for an Ai as well. Although I haven't started coding any of this.
I think it would be super cool to use a Natal like version of Hal on a 360 platform. Using Kinect on a pc would also be awesome because it has allot more to offer than just a simple camera. It can also map out the environment and create a 3d map of the room its currently in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW9of1Ud0uo&feature=relatedAs for making a Hal plugin. In order to get Halvision to connect to Hal I had to use sendkeys... which basically finds the Hal window and then types a command into Hal's window. So its alittle bit messy. I don't know any other way of stimulating Hal outside of using sendkey techniques. It would be better if all this could be Coded directly into Hal.
http://openkinect.org/wiki/Main_PageIf I find a better way I'll try to relay it.