Container handling vehicle for handling containers in an automated storage and retrieval system and an automated storage and retrieval system

The present disclosure relates to an automated storage and retrieval system (1) for handling containers, and a container handling vehicle for handing containers in such a system. The container handling vehicle (600) comprises a vehicle body (601), a first gripping device (610A) for engaging a connection interface (CI20L; CI20S; CI30S; CI40S) of a storage container (20, 30, 40), a second gripping device (610B) for engaging the connection interface (CI20L; CI20S; CI30S; CI40S) of the storage container (20, 30, 40), a first lifting device (620A) for moving the first gripping device (610A) vertically relative to the vehicle body (601); and a second lifting device (620B) for moving the second gripping device (610B) vertically relative to the vehicle body (601). The container handling vehicle (600) is configured to operate the first lifting device and/or the second lifting device in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the first gripping device (610A) and the second gripping device (610B) are configured to cooperatively engage a connection interface (CI20L; CI20S) of a first storage container (20). In the second mode of operation, the first gripping device (610A) is configured to independently engage a connection interface (CI30S; CI40S) of a further storage container (30; 40); and/or the second gripping device (610B) is configured to independently engage a connection interface (CI30S; CI40S) of a further storage container (30; 40).