A load-handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in stacks in a storage system, the system comprising a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in grid pattern above the stacks of containers, the grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces, each stack being located within a footprint of only a single grid space, the load handling device being configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks, the load handling device further comprising a lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising a gripper device, the gripper device being configured to grip a container from above, whereby the load-handling device comprises: a vehicle comprising four sides forming a body, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion: the upper portion for housing components such as power components, and/or control components, and/or drive components and/or lifting components; the lower portion arranged directly beneath the upper portion, the lower portion comprising a cavity bounded by the four sides for accommodating a container and a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly comprising a first set of wheels for engaging with a first set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a first direction and a second set of wheels for engaging with a second set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction; and the lifting mechanism being configured to raise and lower the gripper device relative to the cavity, the lifting mechanism being located above the cavity, the wheel assembly further comprises a wheel positioning mechanism, the wheel positioning mechanism comprising engaging means for selectively engaging either the first set of wheels with the first set of rails or tracks or the second set of wheels with the second set of rails or tracks thereby enabling the load handling device to selectively move in either the first or second direction across the grid, the wheel positioning mechanism further comprising moveable side panels that comprise the sides of the load handling device, two wheels disposed on each side of the load handling device being rotatably attached to the moveable side panels; characterised in that each of the moveable side panels comprises a pin and track mechanism, the pins locating in the tracks when the panels are in-situ on the sides of the load handling device. the upper portion for housing components such as power components, and/or control components, and/or drive components and/or lifting components; the lower portion arranged directly beneath the upper portion, the lower portion comprising a cavity bounded by the four sides for accommodating a container and a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly comprising a first set of wheels for engaging with a first set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a first direction and a second set of wheels for engaging with a second set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction; and the lifting mechanism being configured to raise and lower the gripper device relative to the cavity, the lifting mechanism being located above the cavity, the wheel assembly further comprises a wheel positioning mechanism, the wheel positioning mechanism comprising engaging means for selectively engaging either the first set of wheels with the first set of rails or tracks or the second set of wheels with the second set of rails or tracks thereby enabling the load handling device to selectively move in either the first or second direction across the grid, the wheel positioning mechanism further comprising moveable side panels that comprise the sides of the load handling device, two wheels disposed on each side of the load handling device being rotatably attached to the moveable side panels; characterised in that each of the moveable side panels comprises a pin and track mechanism, the pins locating in the tracks when the panels are in-situ on the sides of the load handling device.