Context-based flight mode selection

A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, the system comprising:

• one or more sensors carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes, wherein the plurality of different flight modes comprise a flight mode for use in a high obstacle density environment and a flight mode for use in a low obstacle density environment, and wherein each of the plurality of different flight modes is associated with a different obstacle avoidance strategy,
• receive a signal indicating a desired movement path for the unmanned aerial vehicle,
• receive a signal from the one or more sensors detecting one or more obstacles situated along or near the desired movement path, and
• modify the desired movement path based on the obstacle avoidance strategy associated with the selected flight mode in order to prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle from colliding with the one or more obstacles.