I'm not sure what you mean by physical needs. If human babies aren't cuddled, they die. Humans are the only known species to do this.

I've heard that called "failure to thrive" before. Yes, we'd need some kind of machine to provide whatever tactile stimulation was required. Given the way many primates groom each other and touch each other for social bonding, I'd be surprised if it were just humans who needed touch.